Explore our Translation and Cultures taught Master's degree.

P-Q910;
P-Q910P part-time

MA

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

3 October 2022

Modern Languages and Cultures

University of Warwick

Are you looking for a MA in Translation and Cultures offering a rigorous academic grounding in the theoretical and practical study of translation? Warwick will provide you with the skills you need to enhance your effectiveness as intercultural mediator and will help you develop professional skills to work as a translator in the language industry. We are corporate members of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting in the UK.

Are you interested in becoming an adept and successful communicator between different nations or cultures? This exciting course draws on cutting-edge academic research by a team of experts in translation, transnational and transcultural studies.

You will develop a rigorous theoretical understanding of translation, with the opportunity to produce your own translations and/or analyse and compare existing translations. The interdisciplinary programme examines translation between English and at least one of Chinese (standard Mandarin), French, German, Italian and Spanish in a cultural context. The research component is significant in this academic degree, which offers integrated research skills training and the possibility to do a final Dissertation on a research topic. If you prefer to get more translation practice, you can also opt for a final Dissertation comprising an original translation from a variety of genres or an analytical commentary.

After graduating, you will be well qualified to seek out work within linguistic and intercultural mediation, in the growing sector of language industry, or to apply for further study or applied research, including our Warwick’s own PhD programme in Translation and Transcultural Studies.

This is a taught MA with a significant research component in the form of a compulsory Dissertation. A Supervisor who is an expert in the field will support you in writing the Dissertation.

The core Translation Portfolio includes provision for group tutorials and peer-to-peer feedback alongside scheduled teaching in a mixed workshop/seminar format.

From 1 to 20 for seminar teaching; individual supervision for the dissertation component.

The course will involve 35 hours of work per week, typically comprising 3 hours of seminar teaching, 1 hour of lectures, up to 1 hour of tutoring and 30 hours of independent study over Terms One and Two.

In Term Three, which is focused on the Dissertation, you will work closely with your supervisor through one-to-one supervision meetings.

All our PG students can do an additional language for free at the Language Centre, subject to availability.

Modules are assessed by written assignments, consisting of essays, translations and/or analytical commentaries on translations, comparative analysis as well as by portfolio in the case of some core and option modules. From the Spring Term, students will start work on an approximately 20,000-word Dissertation.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

2.i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject, e.g. a single or combined Honours Undergraduate degree in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Translation Studies, or another Humanities subject.

You will need to provide proof of high-level competence in spoken and written English and in at least one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish.

Knowledge of a third language amongst the ones mentioned above is valued, but not required.

Language competence

You will need to indicate your level of competence in the language(s) other than English (UG degree level or equivalent to C1 in the CEFR); if formal evidence cannot be provided, you will be assessed individually by the School.

If your first language is not English, or if you have not been taught entirely in English (equivalent to a UK qualification), you will need to provide formal evidence of the following English language requirements.

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

In all cases, we require one academic reference confirming your Undergraduate performance and your suitability for this course. The deadline for applications for our taught postgraduate courses is the 15 July immediately preceding commencement of study.

Deadline

The deadline for applications for our taught postgraduate courses is the 15 July immediately preceding commencement of study.

Deposit

Please also note that offer holders for the MA in Translation and Cultures may be asked to pay a fees deposit to secure their place.

Translation Studies in Theory and Practice

This module offers an overview of the development of Translation Studies as a discipline since the 1970s but also of “pre-scientific” thought on translation dating from the classical era. It specifically explores how translation theory relates to translation practice and to the study of translated texts.

Translation Portfolio

This module introduces the principles of translation, with a particular focus on the challenges that translators encounter in their practice. It offers you the opportunity to translate texts in different genres, and to analyse your own translation strategies.

In the general lectures, you will explore the theoretical challenges that different literary and media genres (such as poetry, short stories, children's literature, news, audiovisual and advertising) typically pose to the practice of translation. Crucially, in the language-specific seminars and through independent study, you will engage in the practice of translation and write a commentary analysing your own approach and translation strategies.

Research Skills in Modern Languages

This module helps you develop key research skills that will assist you in your work on your other MA modules, including the use of electronic resources, writing a literature review, creating a bibliography, choosing and writing a dissertation and giving an oral presentation.

These research techniques and the ability to apply a chosen stylesheet consistently and accurately in order to present a piece of work to high standards are also transferable professionalising skills that are valued in a variety of jobs. These skills will also stand you in good stead if you wish to continue to doctoral research after your MA.

Dissertation

Through a combination of independent research and targeted support and feedback sessions, the final dissertation (20,000 words) helps you produce a coherent and logically argued piece of writing that demonstrates knowledge of and critical ability in a chosen area, commensurate with the accomplishment of an MA degree. You will choose one of three models: (a) extended translation with commentary, (b) comparative analysis of existing translations, or (c) research dissertation on a chosen topic related to your own interests.

• Trans/national Cultures
• Multilingualism and Global Cultures
• Translation and Transcultural Encounters between China and the West
• The Practice of Literary Translation
• Literature and the Life Course
• Critical Theory, Culture, Resistance

Read more about the optional modules offered on the School of Modern Languages website.

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