ObjectivesAudiovisual translation is an exciting new field in translation studies. Our programme provides a broad introduction to the subject, ranging from dubbing and voice-over to surtitling and subtitling, while offering a practical focus on professionally oriented training in interlingual subtitling. The programme is offered in English paired with Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish, according to demand. Learning from professionals and academics in a supportive environment, you will be entering one of the few programmes dedicated to audiovisual translation, preparing you for a growing professional market as well as for the exciting research opportunities in this expanding field. Professional subtitlers bring their real-world experience and standards into the classroom as tutors. Experienced academic staff with excellent research records help you to develop a broad understanding of the current and future challenges of audiovisual translation. Regular seminars in our Professional Aspects of Translation series - held throughout the year - provide additional insights from a range of experienced professionals. The programme offers 24/7 access to computer labs and the latest professional subtitling software. Work on the dissertation begins towards the end of the Spring semester and is normally completed over the summer.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements Entry is open to applicants with a good (Second class honours or equivalent) undergraduate degree in English or equivalent with the relevant language as their mother tongue. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in English should normally have at least 6.5 IELTS (with 7.0 in writing) or equivalen
Academic titleMA/PGDip in Audiovisual Translation
Course descriptionMA/PGDip in Audiovisual Translation Module overview
Compulsory Modules
Audiovisual Translation Issues
In this module students will learn about the various forms of audiovisual translation such as subtitling, dubbing, voice-over and audio description, their development, their major challenges, as well as their overall relationship to translation.
Applied Linguistic Principles
Drawing on pragmatic models of communication, this module will help students to develop an understanding of how verbal language and other modes of communication are used for the creation and comprehension of meaning.
Either
Intralingual Audiovisual Translation (Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: SDH)
In this module students will learn how to produce intralingual subtitles in order to meet the needs of SDH viewers. The focus will be on analysing the various components of audiovisual materials from the SDH viewer's perspective, developing strategies and acquiring conventions for the effective production of monolingual subtitles.
Or
Audio Description (AD)
In audio description, additional narrative is inserted in films, TV programmes or theatre performances to describe actions, body language and other essential details in order to increase the comprehension and enjoyment of audiovisual contents for blind and partially sighted people. In this module students will learn how to produce effective audio descriptions, using professional AD software.
Interlingual Audiovisual Translation (language-pair specific)
In this module students will learn how to produce subtitles for foreign-language films, TV series, and so on. The focus will be on acquiring skills for analysing the various components of audiovisual materials (speech, sound, text), developing strategies for transferring audio information to written form and learning to create subtitle files, using professional subtitling software.
Dissertation
Students have the opportunity to specialise in an aspect of the programme of particular interest by writing a topic-based dissertation, or doing a subtitling/audio description project with commentary. Successful completion of the module requires close collaboration with a supervisor and good planning and organisation skills.
Optional Modules
In addition to the compulsory modules, you will be able to select optional modules according to your specific interests. The modules on Subtitling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and Audio Description for the blind and partially sighted may be taken as options. You may also add to your language portfolio through intensive study of a new language for translation purposes, extend your specialist translation expertise (subject to language proficiency), or complement your skills in audiovisual translation through the study of other aspects of translation and creative writing