Course description
Overview
The course has been running successfully since 1982, longer than any other in the UK. It is a one-year programme designed to develop in Arabic speakers skills in English/Arabic/Arabic-English translation and interpreting most needed in international and regional organisations, as well as in other careers such as teaching and the media.
Course strengths
-Staff with both professional expertise and top rated research.
-Emphasis on advanced ICT training, including use of terminology-management and machine-assisted translation software.
-State-of-the-art Language Resource Centre including Conference Interpreting booths, satellite television and Multimedia equipment.
-Regular contributions from working translators and interpreters.
-Excellent graduate employment record, and close links with professional organisations.
-Salford is a member of PLUG (Professional Languages at Universities Group) and recognised as a provider of interpreters and translators by the European Commission Interpreting Service (SCIC) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
-Students will benefit from the School of Languages’ Centre for Translation and Interpreting which brings together expertise in teaching, research and consultancy in Translation and Interpreting within the School.
-Small class sizes in conference interpreting modules allow students to benefit from detailed individual feedback.
-Opportunity to enhance employability through the study of a second language in translation as an optional module. Languages offered are: French, German, Italian, Spanish and Turkish.
-The opportunity to continue on from MA study to doctoral study at Salford, where students receive dedicated support from the School to ensure a smooth transition from masters level to doctoral level.
The University reserves the right to vary, add to, or delete any of the programmes or parts thereof and any other information on matters referred to in this document at their discretion and without prior notice.
Syllabus
The taught part of the course involves theoretical and practical training in methods and techniques of translation and interpreting. Theoretical components are based on translation studies vital not only for the working translator but also as a basis for the dissertation. The emphasis of the course is on practical translation into and out of Arabic. The interpreting module includes professional note-taking for interpreting and consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. Students spend time each week studying English to improve writing skills and to prepare for the dissertation. They also take a course in information technology which includes English and Arabic word-processing, editing and electronic mail - vital skills for the professional translator. The taught programme extends over one academic year and covers the following:
-English/Arabic Translation
-Arabic/English Translation
-Translation Studies
-Interpreting or Extended Translation
-English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
-Translation and interpreting are taught through workshops involving small groups of students. Translation Studies is based on lectures and seminars. EFL takes the form of active language classes.
Students also attend Keynote lectures and Seminars on specialised translation and business practice, held by invited professionals in the field. Topics and documents relate to fields covered in professional translation, such as economics, transport, telecommunications, medicine and international organisations.
A series of research skills lectures, together with research seminars on Translation and Interpreting Studies, are organised for students taking the MA.
Modules
English into Arabic Translation
This course aims to give students an insight into how to approach the translation into Arabic of a wide range of texts with an emphasis on terminological, linguistic and other difficulties. Summarizing is also included.
Arabic into English Translation
The aims and objectives are the same as for translation into Arabic and the course follows a similar pattern.
Translation Studies
This course aims to provide a methodological background to the practice of translation and to analyse the process and problems of translation. The course will cover issues like, translation East and West, equivalence and adequacy, translation and norms, translation types, textuality and translation, semiotics and translation, culture and translation, translation assessment, and others.
Interpreting
This module will cover the following components:
On-Line exercises
-Student-initiated note-taking
-Professional note-taking
-Consecutive Interpreting
-Simultaneous Interpreting
-Mock-Conference Exercises
EFL
All students will be given a placement test at the beginning of semester 1 to determine their level. Students diagnosed with poor English Language proficiency may be advised to take EFL courses before resuming the MA. The course will be divided into two main parts; advanced grammar and writing skills.
Information Technology
This is an introduction to the increasingly vital part of the work of translators. It aims to give the students an introduction to the use of computers in general (the use of word-processors, internet, e-mail etc), and an introduction to machine translation and relevant systems like TRADOS.
Dissertation (MA only)
During the summer vacation following the completion of the taught course, students wishing to proceed to the MA prepare a dissertation. This should be written in English and be between 12,000 and 15,000 words in length. The student will be given assistance in the selection of a suitable topic and a supervisor will be appointed to guide him/her in the research. A series of lectures on Research skills is given.
Keynote Lectures
The lectures are given by experts in their field and topics relate to the various fields likely to be covered in professional translation and interpreting such as economics, transport, telecommunications, medicine, international organisations, etc.
Specialised Translation Seminars
Classes are given by Visiting Professional Translators. Documents treated will normally be of a highly specialised nature, eg. contracts, agreements, specifications.
Business Practice Seminars
These seminars are held by practising translators and interpreters and aim to give an insight into the requirements of the professions such as codes of practice and how to set up as a freelance translator or interpreter.
Research Seminars
An annual series of (6-8 per year) Research Seminars on various aspects of Translation and Interpreting studies are organised within the European Studies Research Institute. Students opting for the Translation Studies Module and /or wishing to proceed towards the MA will be expected to attend these seminars
