Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop written fluency in Chinese and English through translation practice. The unit is designed to further develop students advanced writing and translation skills. Practical tasks will include translation from English into Chinese and vice versa, using a wide range of texts, including newspaper reports, advertisements, product package text, film subtitles, tourist brochures, web pages, and relatively simple technical, legal and official documents.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chinese Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(CHNS1303 and CHNS1304) or 12 credit points at 3000 level in Chinese Studies
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wei Wang, wei.wang@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Individual translation assignment 1 Translation tasks and reflection	10%	Week 03 Due date: 21 Aug 2026 at 17:00	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Individual translation assignment 2 Translation tasks and reflection	10%	Week 05 Due date: 04 Sep 2026 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Individual translation assignment video reflection video reflection	10%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2026 at 23:59	equivalent to 500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	In-class test Written translation test	20%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2026 at 17:00	500 words	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Group translation practicum portfolio Group translation project	50%	Week 13 Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 23:59	2500 words per student	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

1. Individual Translation Assignments and Reflection (30%)

This assessment consists of two individual translation assignments and one reflective video presentation. Each translation assignment requires you to translate two texts from different genres and topics: One English-to-Chinese translation (approximately 250 words) and One Chinese-to-English translation (approximately 250 Chinese characters/words or equivalent)

Assignment 1 will be completed during your tutorial. Assignment 2 will be completed outside class and submitted online via Canvas.

You will also submit a reflective video presentation via Canvas, in which you reflect on your translation process, learning experiences, and professional development.

2. Group Translation Practicum Project (50%)

During Weeks 5–13, you will work in a group of three to four students on a translation practicum project provided by one of our industry partners. Each group will complete a translation project of approximately 4,500–6,000 English words (or equivalent). The project is designed to simulate a professional translation workflow and provide authentic industry experience. The assessment includes:

a group presentation in Week 13, attended by industry partners; and
a project portfolio, including a project summary and the completed translation, to be submitted via Canvas in Week 13.

Detailed assessment guidelines and marking criteria will be provided in class.

3. In-class Translation Test (20%)

The in-class test assesses your ability to produce accurate and effective translations under timed conditions. You will complete the translation of two texts within 100 minutes: 50 minutes for the English-to-Chinese translation; and 50 minutes for the Chinese-to-English translation. Each text will be approximately 250 words (or equivalent) and will be selected from the subject areas covered in this unit.

Please note that students in different tutorial groups will complete different test papers. While the texts will differ, all test papers will be equivalent in language level and difficulty.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% late penalty per calendar day will apply for late submission without previous approval.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Unit introduction and guidance on assessment tasks	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Basic issues in translation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Basic issues in translation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Key textual differences between Chinese and English	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Key textual differences between Chinese and English	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Basic translation skills 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Basic translation skills 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Basic translation skills 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Basic translation skills 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Basic translation skills 3 + Contextual analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Basic translation skills 3 + Contextual analysis	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	The question of equivalence	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	The question of equivalence	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Cultural issues in translation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Cultural issues in translation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Professional translation and ethics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Professional translation and ethics	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Teamwork, peer-review, and final editing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Teamwork, peer-review, and final editing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Genre analysis and translation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Genre analysis and translation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Translation history and practice in China	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Translation history and practice in China	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Review of the unit, and Unit Evaluation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Review of the unit and In-class Test	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. translate texts across diverse genres and topics, identifying and analysing translation challenges and developing effective strategies to address them.
LO2. apply translation principles to resolve challenges, document and evaluate the strategies used critically
LO3. conduct background research and contextual analysis to support the translation process
LO4. collaborate effectively, cultivating cultural and linguistic awareness through a variety of mechanisms that improve communication and negotiation for effective teamwork
LO5. demonstrate a thorough understanding of professional ethics, including principles of integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and respect for cultural and contextual nuances within the translation process
LO6. engage in self-reflection, apply critical analysis, and develop problem-solving skills to enhance translation practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been significantly updated through the WIL (Work-Integrated Learning) initiative in partnership with the University EEE Team and industry partners. A key addition is the translation practicum project offered by industry partners.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CHNS3610: Chinese Translation

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links