Core modules
Translation and Cultures Pathway
Core modules:
- LN914 Translation across Cultures: Concepts and Theories (30 credits)
- LN902 Translation Portfolio (15 credits)
- LN906 Research Skills in Modern Languages (15 credits)
- LN911 Critical Skills for the Translation Profession (15 credits)
- LN919 Specialised Translation Skills (15 credits)
- LN904 Dissertation in Translation Studies (60 credits)
Translation and Technologies Pathway
Core modules:
- LN914 Translation across Cultures: Concepts and Theories (30 credits)
- LN913 Translation, Technology and Automation (15 credits)
- LN912 Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling and Global Media (15 credits)
- LN919 Specialised Translation Skills (15 credits)
- LN906 Research Skills in Modern Languages (15 credits)
- LN911 Critical Skills for the Translation Profession (15 credits)
- LN904 Dissertation in Translation Studies (60 credits)
Literary Translation Studies Pathway
Core modules:
- LN914 Translation across Cultures: Concepts and Theories (30 credits)
- CW915 The Practice of Literary Translation (15 credits)
- LN902 Translation Portfolio (15 credits)
- LN906 Research Skills in Modern Languages (15 credits)
- LN911 Critical Skills for the Translation Profession (15 credits)
- LN904 Dissertation in Translation Studies (60 credits)
Module Overview
Translation across Cultures: Concepts and Theories
The module seeks to familiarise students with key theoretical concepts in contemporary Translation and Transcultural Studies, explored through case studies across a range of text types in translation; it also provides an overview of the development of Translation Studies as a discipline. Students will be given the opportunity to explore how translation theory relates to translation practice and to the study of translation across a range of text types, as well as reflecting on their own positionality as researchers and practitioners in Translation Studies.
Critical Skills for the Translation Profession
This module introduces students to current professional practices in the language industry from a critical perspective. As well as becoming familiar with language industry demands, emerging job profiles, translation competence models, the role of technology, market requirements and the need to specialise, students will develop a reflexive stance towards translators’ position within the current job market. Crucially, students will acquire the necessary analytical skills to assess ethical dilemmas and the challenges and opportunities of translation as a sustainable profession.
Additionally, students will be offered the opportunity to complete an optional company visit to a national translation service provider.
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.
Specialised Translation Skills
This module supports students in the development of practical specialised translation skills that are essential for language professionals. Departing from functionalist and text-based methods applied to translation, the module fosters a reflective and critical approach to the analysis of source texts and translation situations that will allow an approach to the analysis of source texts and translation situations that will allow students to design, develop and evaluate specialised translation decisions.
Within a multilingual setting with English as a common language and the framework of the translation profession, the students will become familiar with text and genre conventions, features of specialised language, documentation and terminology, as well as translation challenges, strategies and solutions. The multilingual translation workshops will focus on specific specialised translation genres that will provide students with hands-on translation experience as well as critical awareness, analytical writing proficiency, and key transferable skills.
Translation, Technology and Automation
Core for the Technologies pathway, this module introduces key concepts related to computer-assisted translation and machine translation, explores how these technological advancements are changing the professional landscape and provides students with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills to make proficient use of technologies to develop their professional careers in the dynamic translation and localisation market.
The module also explores the impact of automation on the work of translators and the future of work. Following a strong hands-on and applied approach, students will engage with state-of-the-art translation tools (such as translation memories, machine translation systems, and terminology management applications) through practical exercises mirroring real-life scenarios. As a result, the module equips students with transferrable skills that will allow them to navigate new and evolving technological tools in their professional careers.
Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling and Global Media
Core for the Technologies pathway. The rapid globalisation of media and entertainment relies heavily on the efficiency of audiovisual translation and, in particular, the versatility of subtitling. This module provides students with an understanding of audiovisual translation in the context of global media flows and creates a space for them to critically reflect on the evolving role of professional audiovisual translators.
The course combines theoretical, practical, and industry-related aspects of subtitling to help students navigate the challenges, ethical questions, and possibilities in this field. Students will develop essential translation, technical and technological skills while contextualising audiovisual translation practices within the broader globalisation and professional realities of the language industry, with insights from industry experts and professional associations.
The Practice of Literary Translation
Core on our Literary Translation pathway, students are invited to translate into English texts from whatever language – ancient or modern – they choose, with the translated text being examined in workshop sessions where participants collaboratively explore challenges, alternatives, and general principles.
Through this workshop approach, students come to understand the particular challenges of the languages from which they are translating and appreciate the complex processes by which translators deploy literary techniques to do justice to original works while enriching their own use of English. Students will attempt translations across a range of modes and forms, supported by readings from translated literature and Translation Studies that allow them to reflect critically on their practice.
Dissertation
Through a combination of independent research and targeted support and feedback sessions, the final dissertation (15,000 words) will help 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.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Students taking all pathways have access to optional modules outside their specialism, with all core modules offered to other pathways as options. Example optional modules may include:
- Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling and Global Media
- Translation, Technology and Automation
Read more about the optional modules offered on the School of Modern Languages website.
You can also choose other optional modules offered in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures and even in the Faculty of Arts and wider University, subject to availability.
