There are obviously numerous different
paths that can be followed in order to become a fully qualified translator or
interpreter. No one definitive route exists that is considered the standalone,
perfect way to forge a career for yourself in the industry. In fact, one of the
most interesting aspects of working for a translation agency is that I get to
meet linguists from all sorts of different backgrounds besides the obvious
cultural ones. Many have always operated as freelancers, while others have had
careers as translators in the private or public sector or have worked more
directly in their specialised field. Some have little more than a bachelor’s degree
to their name; others have more qualifications than you can shake a stick at!
One experience that countless translators I
come across have benefitted from and speak highly of is completing a master’s
degree. Again, master’s graduates I have the pleasure of meeting have done
their degree at different stages in their career. Going straight from a bachelor’s
degree to a master’s is a common route for translators who know exactly what
they want and have the means to do so, although there are plenty who have gone
back into studying and working towards a master’s after having considerable
experience as a translator.
From gauging the opinion of those at Quick
Lingo who have chosen to further their careers with translation-related master’s
degrees, I can tell you more about options available from five of the UK’s best
universities:
Bath
University – Interpreting and Translating
A varied and flexible course that caters to
linguists specialising in many languages (major European languages plus Chinese
and Japanese) and disciplines. A core program of professional translation and
simultaneous, conference and Public Service Interpreting can be expanded upon
in the second year to suit the student’s taste.
City
University – Legal Translation
From what I’m aware, this is the only master’s
degree in the UK that specialises in Legal
Translation. All the key principles are covered, with each module focusing
on a different area of law. There is even a useful module towards the end of
course titled ‘The translation professional’ that deals with more practical
essentials like using CAT tools and establishing a freelance translation
business.
Exeter
University – Translation
The three pathways on offer – literary
translation, professional and specialist translation and research in
translation –revolve around translation methodology and general skills.
Students have been especially appreciative of the guest lecture series from various
established translation professionals.
Newcastle
University – Translation Studies
Those looking to meet the increasing demand
for Mandarin translators will benefit immensely from this course. English and
Mandarin are the two working languages used, and modules examine elements as
diverse as history of translation, psycholinguistics of translation and
interpreting, translation products, and translation and culture.
Bristol
University – Translation
Ideal for foreign students, as the degree
is taught entirely online. Students learn the fundamentals of theory and
practice of translations and apply them to training centred on any of the one
or two languages they can study in addition to English – Czech, French, German, Italian,
Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Bio
Translation studies is an interdiscipline containing elements of social science and the humanities, dealing with the systematic study of the theory, the description and the application of translation, interpreting, or both. Thanks.
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