MSc Applied Translation

You'll be introduced to a variety of text types and gain practical experience of translation strategies that underpin the effective translation of specialised texts, including technical, medical and political texts. This module will allow you to gain a professional level of translation proficiency.

You'll gain an understanding of contemporary translation theory with an emphasis on applied linguistic and sociocultural approaches, while larger questions of ethics and ideology will be explored in relation to both translation and interpreting.

This class aims to familiarize you with diverse types of media texts, their distinct linguistic features and discursive styles. Through in-depth reading of literature on the translation of media texts and critical analysis of the translation of media texts, including public relation documents, soft news, and audiovisual texts, you develop critical thinking skills and efficient coping strategies to tackle problems in the translation of media texts.

This class provides you with further exposure to a variety of authentic business texts, including audiovisual material, and the focus on practice further consolidates translator competence.

You're provided the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of various cutting-edge translation tools to improve translation consistency and efficiency, with software such as Trados and other cloud-based CAT tools, while post-editing skills will also be enhanced.

You'll benefit from a narrower, more in-depth focus on one area of specialised translation that tends to generate a lot of translation work; the constraints, challenges and opportunities of handling tourist-facing texts are explored via a combination of theoretical readings, critical analysis of existing provision, and reflective practice.

Option 1: Translation & Commentary

The aim of this particular dissertation is to demonstrate both a practical and a theoretical engagement with the taught component of the programme through the production of an original translation and a critical commentary. The dissertation is thus a showcase for the development of your professional translation, conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills. In more general terms, the dissertation is a significant piece of writing which demands original thought, in-depth inquiry into and knowledge of a specific topic, as well as respect for academic conventions.

Option 2: Research dissertation

The primary aim of the research dissertation is to add to existing knowledge in the field of Translation Studies through the investigation of an original and worthwhile research question. There are multiple forms that this investigation could take, e.g. testing a hypothesis, gathering and analysing new data, proposing a new theoretical or methodological framework, or exploring an original line of enquiry in translation or interpreting history, quality assessment, ethics etc. It is important to note that this is a very challenging undertaking, one which requires well-developed skills in synthesizing and critiquing complex material, and in designing and implementing qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies.