Intercultural and Linguistic Mediation

MARA MATTA
MARA MATTA

To acquire knowledge of an integrated framework of the main conceptual categories of discipline and at the same time, of some important empirical acquisitions related to this framework.

At the end of the Hindi Language and Translation III course, students will be able to:

1. Knowledge and Understanding
- Achieve B2-level proficiency according to the CEFR;
- Understand written and spoken Hindi texts of medium complexity, identifying structure, content, and style;
- Recognize the main features of both literary and colloquial Hindi;
- Situate key authors, texts, and movements of modern and contemporary Hindi literature in their historical and cultural context.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
- Translate medium-level texts from Hindi into Italian and vice versa, ensuring semantic, syntactic, and stylistic accuracy;
- Apply grammatical and morphosyntactic rules effectively in both written and oral communication;
- Critically analyze literary texts with attention to linguistic, cultural, and ideological dimensions;
- Use specialized vocabulary and registers appropriately in academic and communicative contexts.

3. Making Judgments and Communication Skills
- Produce critical commentaries and interpretations of literary texts;
- Participate in discussions and oral presentations in Hindi on literary, cultural, and social themes;
- Demonstrate intercultural awareness and linguistic sensitivity in communication.

4. Transversal and Professional Skills
- Develop advanced skills in literary and cultural translation;
- Use Hindi effectively in professional, intercultural, and mediation contexts;
- Collaborate in team-based translation projects;
- Demonstrate autonomy and reflective learning ability.

To have attended and passed the exam of the course of Hindi II.

The course “Hindi Language and Translation III” is comprised of two specialised educational routes, respectively coordinated by the Italian teacher, Mara Matta, and by two highly competent native speakers, the Indian teachers Ajit Singh and Anju Kumari. The module carried out by Prof. Matta focuses on the translation and critical analysis of works by modern and contemporary writers, playwrights and poets. These selected texts are characterized by a medium linguistic and stylistic complexity. In the current academic year 2023-24, students will critically read sections of Premchand's stories; a short story by Rajat Rani ‘Minu’; the short stories Mozel, Khol Do, Toba Tek Singh (in Hindi translation) by Manṭo; selected poems from Jacinta Kerketta’s book Angor; the story Lihaaf by Ismat Chugtai (see Bibliography).

Acquiring competencies in literary translation will allow students (a) to reply to the growing request for such professional specialization; and (b) to develop advanced skills in the field of linguistic, conceptual and stylistic analysis of a written text, in both the origin and the destination language, which will be usefully employed also in contexts different from the specific discipline. 
These readings will also allow students to better understand some of the processes and dynamics which have shaped the cultural identity of modern and contemporary India.

Building on selected teaching tools, the module carried out by the native speakers professors will be specifically dedicated to 1) the in-depth study and revision of grammar and lexicon, mostly based on the units 21-24 of the ‘Corso di Lingua Hindi’ (Milanetti-Gupta, ed. Hoepli, Rome 2008, see Bibliography); 2) to developing high-level operating skills in the field of spoken Hindi. Students will take part in training sessions (individual and collective) where specific issues regarding the culture and society of contemporary India will be debated in Hindi. At the same time, they will study and analyse elements and peculiarities of selected linguistic registers, such as regional idioms, jargon expressions, theatre and cinema dialogues, etc.

Thanks to the specialized seminars and conferences that are regularly organized by the teaching staff, students will also reach a high level of knowledge on major issues regarding contemporary Indian culture, society, and economy. Hence, students are expected to develop good operating skills in currently strategic sectors such as written translation, intercultural communication, cultural industries, etc.

Adopted texts
Giorgio Milanetti e Smiti Tanya Gupta, Corso di lingua hindi, Hoepli Ed., Roma 2008.

Bibliography
Rajat Rānī ‘Mīnu’, Ham kaun hain?, Vāṇī Prakāśan, Naī Dillī 2012. Jacinta Kerketta, Brace (Angor), Miraggi Ed. Torino 2017 (poems in hindi language with Italian translation by Alessandra Consolaro). Premchand, Manṭo, Devi’s short stories and other excerpts of literary works and film scripts will be provided during the classes.

Usually classes are held in presence. We try to stimulate a participatory approach, with translation's labs and conversation's exercises.

Attendance is not compulsory.

The exam is divided in two parts:
- Written exam, where students are requested to translate from Hindi into Italian and then tackle grammar's questions.

- Oral exam, where students read, translate and comment on the assigned and analysed literary excerpts or stories.

1. Translate and comment on a selected passage from a story by Premchand or Ismat Chughtai, focusing on linguistic and stylistic aspects.
2. Analyze the representation of contemporary Indian society in one of the texts studied during the course (e.g. Khol Do or Sadgati).
3. Discuss the main differences between written and spoken Hindi, providing examples from the readings or oral practice.

• The course is divided into three main units, combining lectures, translation workshops, and oral practice.Unit 1 – Language Consolidation (28 hours)Objectives: strengthen oral and written skills to reach an effective B2 level (CEFR).
  • Books: - Review of advanced grammar (Units 21–24, Corso di Lingua Hindi, Milanetti–Gupta, Hoepli);- Deepening complex verbal forms, subordination, and relative-correlative structures through the translation and analysis of short stories by Premchand, Manto, Chugtai, Minu, and other selected materials (see bibliography).- Expansion of idiomatic vocabulary and colloquial registers;- Oral and listening exercises based on authentic materials and film dialogues;- Written production exercises (summaries, formal/informal letters, descriptions).Teachers: Ajit Singh, Anju Kumari.


• Unit 2 – Reading, Analysis, and Translation of Literary Texts (32 hours)Objectives: develop advanced comprehension and translation skills; acquire stylistic and cultural sensitivity.
  • Books: - Guided reading and translation of works by Premchand, Rajat Rani ‘Minu’, Saadat Hasan Manṭo (Mozel, Khol Do, Toba Tek Singh), Jacinta Kerketta (poems from Angor), and Ismat Chughtai (Lihaaf);- Linguistic and syntactic analysis; study of the modern literary register;- Discussion of central themes: gender, Partition trauma, marginality, language, and identity;- Comparative translation workshops and group revision;- Introduction to literary criticism and translation theory.


• Unit 3 – Language Workshop and Applied Activities (12 hours)Objectives: consolidate real-world language use and develop transversal competencies.
  • Books: Contents:- Individual and group translation exercises (journalistic, cinematic, poetic);- Adaptation of dialogues from theatre and cinema;- Seminar presentations and discussions in Hindi;- Grammar and vocabulary assessments.