This module is designed to allow students that have a basic knowledge of Sanskrit to deepen and extend their engagement with the language and to get to grips with a range of suitable classical Sanskrit texts. It is designed to be a bridge between the basic knowledge of a classical language and supervised and unsupervised textual study in that language.  In the first half of the course, students will extend and develop their understanding of Sanskrit grammar through the completion of a range of short translation tasks. Students will also be prepared to take on the translation and interpretation of original Sanskrit materials by means of instruction in historical philological method and translation theory. In the second half of the module, students will read and analyse more extended selections from Sanskrit sources. The course provides an introduction to the translation and interpretation of religious texts in Sanskrit and familiarises students with some of the technical vocabulary used in Indian religious and philosophical discourse.

On completion of the module a student will be able to:

 Knowledge

·         recognise a range of Sanskrit grammatical forms, syntactic structures and vocabulary

·         briefly describe text-critical and translation issues in the Sanskrit sources under consideration

·         demonstrate familiarity with issues surrounding the preparation of academic and literary translations of Sanskrit texts

Comprehension

·         comprehend the grammar of the Sanskrit language as it pertains to the translation of Sanskrit texts

·         defend an argument pertaining to one, or more, Sanskrit sources

·         paraphrase secondary source work accurately

·         paraphrase the content of Sanskrit texts accurately

·         distinguish between different types of Sanskrit text

·         give examples from Sanskrit texts in order to support points made about them

·         infer ideological agendas in Sanskrit sources

Application

·         apply class room activities to the independent translation of Sanskrit texts

·         apply grammatical paradigms to Sanskrit texts in order to correctly construe the meaning of Sanskrit sentences.

·         relate primary and secondary sources to a negotiated essay question

·         demonstrate the significance of primary data to the substantiation of a given hypothesis

Analysis

·         parse and translate Sanskrit textual sources

·         contrast differing translations of Sanskrit texts

·         illustrate grammatical or semantic issues in pre-existing English translations of Sanskrit texts

·         outline a scholarly hypothesis and the evidence upon which it is based

·         select relevant secondary source materials in relation to set Sanskrit texts.

·         relate Sanskrit textual data to broader ideological and historical trends in support of an argument

Synthesis

·         categorize some of the forms and types of Sanskrit text

·         plan a translation process that includes critical reflection on the nature and purpose of translation as an activity

·         plan a research process that builds upon a short translation project

·         devise a means to manage grammatical information to support the production of translations in examined conditions

·         devise a means to manage primary and secondary source materials to support the answering of an essay question

·         compose an introduction to a scholarly argument that outlines its central hypothesis and the evidence upon which this hypothesis is based

·         compose a scholarly argument that supports individual contentions with primary and secondary source materials

·         compose a conclusion to a scholarly argument that summarizes what has been shown and relates this to broader issues in the study of religious texts

The module will be delivered by small group translation sessions and short lectures on relevant topics (textual criticism, translation theory etc.).

Skills that will be practised and developed

The ability to:

·         Listen to others with respect

·         Actively respond to peer and teacher feedback

·         Discuss and question new ideas

·         Present analyses in a clear and coherent manner, both orally and in writing

·         Solve problems

·         Demonstrate a willingness to seek, and accept, help and guidance

·         Accept responsibility for one’s own activities and their outcomes

·         Display self-reliance

·         Adopt a demanding work-schedule

·         Revise judgements and change behaviour in the light of new evidence

·         Use computers as a research and writing aid

The module will be assessed by one coursework essay of 2,000 words on an assigned Sanskrit text (worth 30% of the final module mark) and a two hour examination (worth 70% of the final module mark).

Syllabus content – This is an indicative list only:

·         Hours 1 and 2: An Introduction to Sanskrit Literature and Textual Criticism.

·         Hours 3-15: Translation of, and commentary upon, a range of short excerpts from Sanskrit religious literature (e.g. Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa, Purāṇa, Kathā literature).

·         Hours 17 and 18: An Introduction to Translation Theory and the History of Translation of Sanskrit Texts into English.

·         Hours 19-30: Translation of longer excerpts from Sanskrit texts, with some attention being paid to commentarial materials (both emic and etic)

The first half of the module will be taught through language classes in which key points of grammar will be introduced and practiced in relation to a range of prepared Sanskrit materials. Students will be expected to complete translations both within and outside of class. Students will also be expected to keep an exercise book of their translations, which will also serve as a place to reflect upon their progress and the translation and editorial issues raised in class. These records will be taken in and commented upon at regular intervals. There will be regular informal class tests as well as individual and group feedback on performance. The second half of this module will be conducted through reading classes; copies of the chosen text(s) will be supplied in class.  After the introductory session, students will be expected to prepare a translation and commentary on the translation of the relevant text in advance of each class. They will also be expected to read widely in the secondary material, as directed, and to comment critically on the content of the Sanskrit texts in the light of their reading. A combination of reflection and wider reading will inform the essay on the longer Sanskrit sources (the topic will be negotiated on an individual basis with the tutor during the second half of the module).

Indicative Reading and Resource List - These are basic reference works only:

Coulson, M, Teach Yourself Sanskrit,  London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1976.

Gonda, J., A Concise Elementary Grammar of the Sanskrit Language, Gordon B. Ford trans., Leiden: Brill, 1966.

Emeneau, M. B., Sanskrit Sandhi and Exercises, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1964.

Mayrhofer, M,  A Sanskrit Grammar, Gordon B. Ford trans., Alabama: The University of Alabama Press, 1964.