(MA) Master of Arts
Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
Linguistics
MA Q91012
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
If your first language is English
we will consider a 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic or Spanish.
If your first language is either French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic or Spanish
we will consider a 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) which includes English as a major component.
Applicants may be required to attend an interview (by skype) and successfully pass Translation and Interpreting aptitude tests.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Eloisa Monteoliva
Assistant Professor in Spanish (Translation & Interpreting)
Heriot-Watt University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To introduce students to the principles underlying the practice of translation of texts from different genres from one language into another.
- To introduce students to the principles underlying the practice of interpreting in a range of contexts of language use.
- To develop students’ ability to translate/interpret quickly and accurately between English and one other language (chosen from French or German or Italian or Portuguese or Spanish).
- To introduce students to the stylistic differences between different genres of writing and to develop their ability to write in different styles in a non-native language.
- To introduce students to the principles of subtitling and enable them to create their own subtitles in one language from speech in another.
- To introduce students to the use of computer software in translation, interpreting and subtitling, and to give them experience of using e-resources in translating, interpreting and subtitling.
- To give students the opportunity to undertake a practical project in translation, interpreting or subtitling, and to reflect critically on the experience.
- To provide students with a solid understanding of the ethics and practice of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling.
- To equip students with the practical and key skills necessary for employment in professional translation, interpreting and subtitling.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Principles of translation, interpreting, subtitling, and writing in a non-native language.
A2: Technologies used to support translation, interpreting and subtitling
A3: Ethics and code of practice in professional translation/interpreting/subtitling
A4: Specialist vocabulary for a range of commercial, public sector and media contexts
Learning methods
A1 and A2 are addressed through attendance at lectures and application of the principles encountered in lectures to practical tasks undertaken in classes, labs and in independent work. A3 is addressed through lectures and seminar discussion. A4 is developed through the construction of personal glossaries based on assignments undertaken in class, lab and independent work.
Assessment methods
Methods used to assess knowledge and understanding typically include translations, subtitling assignments, performance in interpreting tasks, creative writing and essays. The most highly weighted measure of students’ knowledge and understanding is the MA dissertation which comprises a practical translation, or practical interpreting assignment, or practical subtitling project component, and a reflective/evaluative component.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Identification of the key elements of information in a range of different types of oral and written discourse.
B2: Organisation of ideas, arguments and evidence in the production of written and oral discourse.
B3: Communicating ideas, information and arguments in oral and written form in the specialist languages, with a level of fluency, accuracy, clarity and effectiveness (and sensitivity to register and style) which depends on the level of the courses taken.
B4: Use of language that is appropriate to different spoken registers and written genres.
B5: Critical evaluation of the effectiveness of language used for different communicative purposes.
Learning methods
Methods used to develop intellectual/cognitive skills typically include acquisition of knowledge through lectures (B1 and B4), and application of knowledge acquired in lectures to practical tasks undertaken in classes, labs and in independent work (B1-B5).
Assessment methods
Methods used to assess knowledge and understanding typically include translations, subtitling assignments, performance in interpreting tasks, creative writing and essays. The most highly weighted measure of students’ intellectual and cognitive skills is the MA dissertation which comprises a practical translation, or practical interpreting assignment, or practical subtitling project component, and a reflective/evaluative component.
C: Practical skills
C1: Production of fast and accurate written translations of texts drawn from a variety of genres.
C2: Production of fast and accurate oral translations of aurally-presented discourse across a range of registers.
C3: Use of computer-based technologies in translating, interpreting and subtitling.
C4: Effective writing that is appropriate to a range of genres in English and one other language.
Learning methods
Methods used to develop practical skills typically include translation, interpreting, subtitling and guided writing undertaken in classes and labs, and undertaken as independent work outside the classroom.
Assessment methods
Methods used to assess practical skills typically include translations, subtitling assignments, creative writing and performance in interpreting tasks. The most highly weighted measure of students’ practical skills is the MA dissertation which comprises a practical translation, or practical interpreting assignment, or practical subtitling project component, and a reflective/evaluative component.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicating ideas, information and arguments in oral and written form in English and another language, with a level of fluency, accuracy, clarity and effectiveness across a range of registers and styles
D2: IT skills that include word-processing, email, searching of e-resources, translation, and use of interpreting and subtitling software.
D3: Finding, understanding and organising information; project management; evaluating the merits of different solutions to problems.
D4: Collaborating with others to produce joint solutions to problems; grasping other points of view.
D5: Working autonomously; time management; working to deadlines; using e-resources to inform decisions
Learning methods
Methods used to develop key skills typically include translation, interpreting, subtitling and guided writing undertaken in classes and labs, and undertaken as independent work outside the classroom.
Assessment methods
Methods used to assess key skills typically include translations, subtitling assignments, performance in interpreting tasks, creative writing and essays. The most highly weighted measure of students’ acquisition of key skills is the MA dissertation which comprises a practical translation, or practical interpreting assignment, or practical subtitling project component, and a reflective/evaluative component.