Translation skills

    AQA
    GCSE

    Translation at this level demands the precise manipulation of grammatical structures and vocabulary to convey meaning accurately between the source and target languages (English and French). Candidates must demonstrate command of complex syntax, idiomatic expression, and appropriate register, avoiding literalism (calques) while maintaining the nuance of the original text. Assessment focuses on grammatical accuracy (morphology and syntax), lexical variety, and the fluidity of the target language output. Success requires the application of translation strategies such as transposition, modulation, and equivalence to resolve linguistic disparities.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for communicating the key message without ambiguity, even if minor errors exist
    • Credit accurate application of complex grammatical structures, such as subordinate clauses or object pronouns
    • Penalize errors that distort meaning or cause confusion, such as incorrect tense usage or false friends
    • Require correct spelling and accents where they affect grammar or meaning (e.g., distinction between 'a' and 'à')

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have conveyed the meaning, but check your verb endings for the perfect tense"
    • "Excellent vocabulary choice; ensure the adjective agrees with the feminine noun"
    • "Avoid literal translation of idioms; use the specific French expression for 'to be hungry'"
    • "Your sentence structure is English-based; remember to place object pronouns before the verb"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for communicating the key message without ambiguity, even if minor errors exist
    • Credit accurate application of complex grammatical structures, such as subordinate clauses or object pronouns
    • Penalize errors that distort meaning or cause confusion, such as incorrect tense usage or false friends
    • Require correct spelling and accents where they affect grammar or meaning (e.g., distinction between 'a' and 'à')

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Identify the time frame (tense) of the text before starting translation to ensure verb consistency
    • 💡Annotate the source text to identify 'traps' like negatives, plural nouns, or irregular verbs before writing
    • 💡Use the 'check-back' method: re-read the translated French to ensure it makes sense independently of the English source
    • 💡Paraphrase complex English phrases into simpler English before translating if the direct vocabulary is unknown

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Translating idioms literally (e.g., rendering 'I am hot' as 'Je suis chaud' instead of 'J'ai chaud')
    • Omitting auxiliary verbs in the perfect tense (e.g., writing 'J'ai allé' or 'Je allé' instead of 'Je suis allé')
    • Failure to agree adjectives with the subject in gender and number, particularly with irregular adjectives

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Translate
    Write
    Convey
    Adapt
    Check
    Identify

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic