Translation and Interpreting are key professions in our modern, globalised world. This course focuses specifically on translation and interpreting, has an applied approach, and draws on our long-standing experience in vocational training and academic research in this field.
Most of the lecturers in the programme team have professional experience as translators and/or interpreters themselves and you will benefit from their insights into these professions.
You will take German and English as a Foreign Language (for non-native speakers of English) throughout the course and a third language can be taken up in the final year. German is available for study at beginner’s level or from post-A level standard, and for English as a Foreign Language you should have IELTS 6.5 or above.
The innovative combination of academic and vocational training on this course will open doors for your future due to the excellent transferable skills you will acquire. You will gain a high proficiency in two languages as well as developing the skills to enable you to put them into practice in the workplace. Language study is complemented by module components designed to develop a high level of intercultural knowledge and awareness.
Year 1
You will take one language module in both German and English which will run across semesters 1 and 2. If you choose to study a language from beginners level you will take the Language 102 module, and for post-A level languages you will take the Language 101 module. Alongside your language modules you will take core foundation modules in linguistics and translation and interpreting.
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German 101: Post-A Level
Your post-A level language proficiency will be further developed so that you master a range of syntactic structures in oral and written modes, become familiar with stylistic variation, expand your cultural knowledge and acquire basic translation skills, both into English and into German.
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German 102: Beginners
Taking German from beginner’s level you will cover basic grammar, build a fundamental lexis, develop basic communication skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and develop intercultural knowledge and awareness, as well as developing the ability to translate simple texts into English.
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English 101: Post-A Level
Your post-A level language proficiency will be further developed so that you master a range of syntactic structures in oral and written modes, become familiar with stylistic variation, expand your cultural knowledge.
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Introduction to Translation and Interpreting
This module provides an introduction to the key concepts and nature of translation and interpreting. You will cover key issues in translation and interpreting, e.g. equivalence, linguistic and cultural mediation, lexicography, terminology, the social role of translators and interpreters, etc.
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Structure of English
You will be introduced to grammatical terminology and the grammatical description of English. You will cover grammatical categories and structure, including verbs, aspect, tense and mood, clause structure, complements, and adjuncts, noun phrases, preposition phrases and negation and related phenomena.
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Year 2
In Year 2 you will take one language module in Both German and English which will run across semesters 1 and 2. These will be a continuation of your language modules from Year 1. Alongside your language modules you will study the theoretical and practical principles central to translation and interpreting.
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German 301
This module is a continuation of German 101, and you will develop written production skills, intermediate-level translation skills from German into English and from English into German and also aural comprehension skills, in particular on the basis of a programme of History and Contemporary Society lectures.
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German 302
This module is a continuation of German 102, and you will extend your communication skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in German and gain knowledge of aspects of the recent social, political and cultural development of the relevant country.
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English 301
This module is a continuation of English 101, and you will develop written production skills, intermediate-level translation skills in particular on the basis of a programme of History and Contemporary Society lectures.
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Approaches to Translation and Interpreting Studies
This module provides an understanding of some of the main topics and concepts in translation and interpreting theory and practice which go beyond linguistic concepts, drawing on disciplines such as sociolinguistics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics and stylistics. It also helps you to deepen your understanding of some contemporary approaches to translation and interpreting with specific reference to methodology.
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The Practice of Translation and Interpreting
You will have the opportunity to analyse and translate semi-specialised texts into and from English. You will develop skills related to research and documentation for translation purposes. You will be introduced to the skills of liaison interpreting and develop confidence in conversation management and performance evaluation.
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Year 3
International Placement Year
It is a requirement of this course that you spend two semesters abroad, and that you undertake placements in two separate countries – or just one if your second language is EFL. You may choose to study at one of our many partner academic institutions (e.g. in an Erasmus exchange), take a work placement or undertake a combination of both. If you wish to gain work experience we offer a comprehensive network of industrial placements, many of which are paid.
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Year 4
In Year 4 you will take one language module per semester for both German and English, alongside advanced modules in translation and interpreting. You may opt to take a third language instead of one of your language modules (if you prefer to take a major/minor language combination rather than a major/major combination).
German 501
You will build on the experience of your International Placement Year and further develop your linguistic competence in your chosen language. You will be able to use a wide range of syntactic structures, develop your written production skills using different styles and a broad range of functions and develop advanced level translation skills from German into English.
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German 601
You will continue your language study by further developing your written production skills, using a wider range of syntactic structures involving text types and linguistic patterns of increased sophistication, communicating orally in a range of sophisticated contexts and developing advanced-level translation skills from English into German.
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English 501
You will build on the experience of your International Placement Year and further develop your linguistic competence in your chosen language. You will be able to use a wide range of syntactic structures, develop your written production skills using different styles and a broad range of functions.
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English 601
You will continue your language study by further developing your written production skills, using a wider range of syntactic structures involving text types and linguistic patterns of increased sophistication, communicating orally in a range of sophisticated contexts.
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Plus modules to the value of 40 credits from the following:
University-wide Language Programme (UWLP)
You have the option to study an additional language through the UWLP, which is practical in content and available at four levels (stages): Stage 1 (complete beginner), Stage 2 (Grade A*-C at GCSE), Stage 3 (Grade C or below at AS level), Stage 4 (Grade D or below at A2 level). The lower stages help you cope with everyday situations abroad or when dealing with visitors to this country, and the higher stages enable you to use the language in more professional contexts. Available options include French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.
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Advanced Translation
You will build on the theoretical concepts covered in year 2, applying them to the practice of translation in specialised texts (e.g. technical, literary, journalistic). You will learn how to deal with cultural references when translating a text, analyse translation problems and evaluate and apply possible strategies and solutions. You will also carry out a specialized translation project and compile a translator’s glossary.
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Advanced Interpreting
Within the context of interactive, one-to-one spoken discourse you will mediate linguistically on a range of topics, in oral mode and in both directions, between English and another language. You will develop an understanding of intercultural workplaces and their issues and the impact of interpreter-mediation on service delivery. You will gain a practical insight into other modes of interpreting used in the workplace (namely simultaneous (whispered mode) and consecutive interpreting).
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