French for Reading and Translation

Gain the basic skills you need to read and translate French texts to English. Learn fundamental French grammar and vocabulary while translating texts from disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. This course is excellent preparation for a French graduate-level reading knowledge exam.

While no prior knowledge of the language is required, familiarity with common grammar terminology in English is highly recommended. Basic to high-intermediate French speakers can use the course to review essential grammar, build vocabulary and increase accuracy in translation. The higher the level French you have, the more you will gain from this course.

Using Celia Brickman's A Short Course in Reading French (purchase required), the course will introduce scholars to important grammatical concepts, reading strategies and important vocabulary for scholarly reading. Textbook available from various vendors.

With the aim of preserving the essence and integrity of the original text, you will become proficient at understanding, critically analyzing and accurately translating from French to English.

This course is open to all. You do not have to be a UW–Madison student to register. The graduate student fee is applicable to graduate students from any institution.

Note: You will not be able to view the course on your Canvas Dashboard or access the materials until the course start date.

Course Overview

This course will give you systematic approaches to analyzing French text and the tools with which you can expand your understanding. Using texts from various disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, you learn the fundamentals of French grammar, how to use a dictionary and how to decipher the meaning of a text. You will learn how knowing certain grammar points, knowing how sentence structures work and knowing essential vocabulary words will give you the keys to understanding French.

How the course works

There are no video lectures or synchronous class meetings; the course material is text-based. On Wednesdays, new units will be posted. Most units are divided into two main parts: the study assignment (textbook) and the written assignment (selected translation practice). Several units also have quizzes and/or practice exercises for reinforcement. You will work at your own pace on the week's textbook assignments, quizzes and translations. These will be due on Monday of the following week. Your instructor will give you feedback before the new unit(s) are posted the following Wednesday.

Course objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Read and understand, with the help of a dictionary, scholarly texts pertinent to their field of research
• Identify fundamental French grammatical structures and syntax
• Recognize essential French vocabulary words
• Increase confidence in translation abilities

Required reading

• Brickman, Celia. A Short Course in Reading French, 2012
• French/English dictionary

Recommended text and study aids

• Morton, Jacqueline. English Grammar for Students of French. Olivia and Hill, 2002
• A notebook for vocabulary lists
• Flashcards

Is this course right for you?

If you answer "yes" to the following questions, you are a good candidate for our online French for Reading Knowledge course:

• I am a skilled reader who is at ease with written instructions and lessons
• I am a self-directed learner, with the initiative to visit a course site regularly
• I am comfortable participating in a course in writing
• I can continue learning independently while waiting for feedback on assignments
• I am organized and able to meet deadlines
• I enjoy working on a computer
• I have 5 to 12 hours weekly that I can devote to this online course

If these statements do not accurately describe you, please consider taking a face-to-face class.