Translation (Business and Legal) MA

MA Translation (Business and Legal)

• Translating Business and Legal Texts (30 credits) Compulsory
• Globalisation and Trade (30 credits) Optional
• Contemporary Management (30 credits) Optional
• Translating Technical Texts (30 credits) Compulsory
• Translation Theories and Cultures (30 credits) Compulsory
• Research Methods and Dissertation (60 credits) Compulsory
• Translating Technical Texts

This module is divided into two parts and is compulsory for both pathways. It introduces students to the demands and particularities of the translation of technical texts, including those studied in each pathway and other types of technical translation such as health and medicine. The first part deals specifically with branches of translation covered in the Institute of Linguists Education Trust (IoLET) Diploma in Translation which is the preparatory stage for students who wish to go on to obtain certification from the Institute of Linguists, and provides them with an insight into the activities of the Institute, with whom we will continue to closely collaborate. The second part focuses on key theoretical and practical issues related to different types of software used in the profession including the effective use of computer aided translation (CAT) software (e.g. SDL TRADOS), which will enable students to demonstrate the ability to critically select and employ different types of software and understand and critically analyse languages used in increasingly more complex texts and situations.

Translation Theories and Cultures

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their understanding (of the development) of approaches to translation which have been and often still remain at the forefront of the discipline of translation studies; to increase their insight into current knowledge in the discipline of translation studies and to explore recent developments and different approaches and schools of thought; to develop the ability to reflect on key issues and paradigms in translation theory and to evaluate approaches to translation and to develop the ability to relate students' translation tasks to contemporary approaches to translation.

Translating Business and Legal Texts

This module creates awareness of the challenge raised by the translation of specialised texts such as various law texts and judgements and a varied range of business and administrative texts including advertising and business correspondence. It aims to enhance students' understanding of the theoretical notions and descriptive vocabulary relevant to business and legal genera; to explore and develop effective strategies for managing complex linguistic, cultural and technical transmission; to attain high levels of proficiency in translation practice and critical reflection; to enable the student to tackle the complexities of translation systematically, creatively, originally and with self direction, making sound, autonomous translational judgements, and explaining these to specialist and non specialist audiences, and to broaden and deepen students' understanding of cultural and ethical issues in relation to the context of today's globalised world and the role of the translator in it.

Research Methods and Dissertation

The module prepares students for their research project and Dissertation by introducing a number of research and enquiry techniques which are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of translation studies. It enables them to critically evaluate current research, advanced scholarship and methodologies used in Translation Studies and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses. It encourages students to apply their knowledge and understanding with originality and to act autonomously, originally and professionally when tackling and solving research and/or translation problems and implementing research and/or translation tasks. It allows students to produce an original, sustained piece of writing. This may be either a translation accompanied by a critical introduction, the latter consisting of no less than half the total word length, or a written presentation of individual research on an aspect of translation history, theory or practice.

Globalisation and Trade (optional)

The module provides students with specialised knowledge and understanding of: The history and theory of globalisation; The regulation of international trade through the World Trade Organisation; The relationship between international trade, harmonisation of the law and related disciplines such as business organisations and economics. The module aims to deepen students' understanding of legal processes, methods and concepts. Its objective is to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge, analytical skills and understanding through extended writing in a cogent and appropriate writing style.

Contemporary Management (optional)

This module builds students' knowledge of contemporary management including organisational issues, practices, and management challenges, as well as developing students' skills in applying that knowledge to practice with specific reference to enhancing organisational effectiveness.