
Opleiding: MA Theory and Practice of Translating
Learning purpose
MA Theory and Practice of Translation combines practice in translation with input on literary and linguistic theory and on the theory, history and culture of translation. A strong emphasis on research skills means that this masters programme forms an excellent basis for further study to PhD level or for future research in the workplace. There may be opportunities to undertake commissioned translation or editing tasks through TRANSCEN, Middlesex University Translation and Interpreting Institute's translation and text editing service.
Open Languages Scheme
Our Open Languages Scheme gives you the opportunity to acquire or develop your foreign language skills, from beginners to advanced level. These extra classes are ideal if you wish to enhance your employability, further your career, prepare for study or research abroad, visit a country where your target language is spoken, or simply keep your foreign language/s going and enjoy the pleasurable and satisfying experience of language learning.
Programme
Attendance at all taught sesions is compulsory.
Each module is structured into two 12-week halves of which 6-8 weeks are taught and 4-6 weeks are for individual research and the production of an essay. The second essay may follow on from the first. The dissertation may develop aspects first researched in the essays, though material may not be repeated as part of the assessment of the dissertation. Rather, it will be placed for reference in appendices.
Year 1
Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory
To allow you to produce an original, sustained piece of writing of between 15,000 and 20,000 words. This may be either a translation accompanied by a critical introduction, the latter consisting no less than half of the total word length, or a written presentation of individual research on an aspect of translation history, theory or practice.
History, Theory and Culture of Translation (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- To enhance your understanding of the historical development of issues and knowledge which have been and often still remain at the forefront of the discipline of translation studies. - To enhance your understanding of current knowledge at the forefront of the discipline of translation studies and to explore recent developments schools of and approaches to translation studies in it.
Literary Texts and Their Translation (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The aim of this module is to enhance students understanding of the theoretical notions and descriptive vocabulary relevant to literary studies, literary theory and identification of literary genres and to enable them to apply this understanding when translating and editing literary texts.
Research in Translation Studies (30 Credits) - Compulsory
i to ensure that all students are up to date with: - research facilities available on campus, in other libraries and on the internet and with how to access them. - techniques applicable to research and advanced scholarship in translation studies. - the conventions governing the presentation of the outcome of such research in British universities. ii : - To prepare you for your research project and your dissertation by introducing a number of techniques of research and enquiry which are and have been used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of translation studies. - To enable you to evaluate critically current research, advanced scholarship and methodologies used in translation studies and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses. - To encourage you to apply your 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. - To encourage you to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations, and to engage in independent learning.
Translating Non-Literature (30 Credits) - Compulsory
To enhance your understanding of how theoretical notions and descriptive vocabulary relevant to linguistic and stylistic studies, linguistic theory and the identification of textual genres are and have been used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of translation studies, in translating and in editing translations. To give you the confidence and linguistic and textual awareness necessary to take responsibility for planning and creating a translation of a text of your own choice selected after consultation with your tutor s . To enable you 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.
Entry Requirements
We welcome applications from graduates with a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
English language requirements
You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.
Professional perspective and employment market
Typical graduate destinations include
The translation industry, screen translation, the publishing industry, the travel industry, teaching, advertising, Public Relations, multilingual administrative posts, PhD study.

