ObjectivesSuccessful completion of this course means you will be able to:- produce accurate and commercially acceptable translations of a technical and specialised nature from English into your mother tongue, applying (where appropriate) insights drawn from the formal study of linguistics and translation theory;- produce accurate translations from your mother tongue into English;- after completion of the relevant option module, act as revisers and editors of translations; and- research complex technical and specialised topics for the purposes of translation, as required, in a professional context.
Entry requirementsYou will need to be a mother-tongue speaker of either Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish, and hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent). Applications from mature, non-graduate applicants with appropriate work experience in lieu of a degree will also be considered. You will need fluent written and spoken English to study at postgraduate level. If your first language is not English, an attainment of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent must be demonstrated. The University offers pre-sessional summer programmes if you need to improve your English before starting your course. There is no formal entrance exam, but in many cases we will test your language competence by setting you two translations. The test pieces will be emailed to you once we have received your application. You should translate them, using any reference sources necessary, and return your translations to the Admissions and Marketing Office as soon as possible. The test translations may, however, be waived at the Admissions Tutor’s discretion. You are not normally required to attend an interview but may request a meeting with the Course Leader, if you wish.
Academic titleMA Bilingual Translation
Course descriptionIntroduction
The course trains language specialists (new graduates as well as mature/experienced students) to a professional level in translation, familiarises you with up-to-date information and terminology both in English and your mother tongue in relation to the various specialised fields covered by the course, and gives you insights at the practical level into the various aspects of a career in professional translation and, at the academic level, into the actual process of translation.
Course Content
This course, intended for native speakers of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, or Spanish, covers translation from English into the mother tongue of specialised appropriate technical and institutional texts (your Main Language core module); and translation (for information purposes) of similar texts from the mother tongue into English (your Second Language core module). Together with the Thesis or Project, these two modules form the core of the course. We offer a range of translation-related option modules (such as Subtitling, Computer-Assisted Translation, Editing Skills and Introduction to Interpreting Skills) and linguistics options (Translation Theory, Written Discourse Analysis, Sociolinguistics and Creole Linguistics). You may also take a work experience module, Field Study, and modules providing an introduction to science, technology and technical writing.
Core modules:
-Main Language (translation from English into the mother tongue)
-Project or Thesis
-Second Language (translation from the mother tongue into English)
Options:
-Advanced Arabic Language Skills
-Advanced English Language Skills
-Computer-Assisted Translation
-Creole Linguistics
-Editing Skills (language(s) subject to annual confirmation)
-Field Study
-Introduction to Interpreting Skills (language(s) subject to confirmation)
-Introduction to Technical Writing
-Principles of Science and Technology
-Sociolinguistics
-Subtitling
-Translation Theory
-Written Discourse Analysis
Teaching and Assessment
All core modules and the optional Advanced Arabic Language Skills and Advanced English Language Skills modules are year-long. Each remaining option lasts for one semester. Assessment, through a mix of coursework and formal exams, takes place at the end of the module. The mix varies between modules.
Associated Careers
Graduates find employment as in-house translators within industry, commerce and international organisations, or on a freelance or self-employed basis. They also find positions as editors, revisers and subtitlers.