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Programme: MA Option: Translation and Interpreting (Coursework)

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Code Faculty
01250208 Faculty of Humanities
Credits Duration
Duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 200
Contact:
Mrs R Marais
[email protected]
+27 (0)124204592

Admission requirements

- An approved honours degree (or other comparable tertiary qualification – with the approval of Senate) worth 120 credits in a language linguistics or a language-related discipline.

- An average of at least 65% for the honours degree is required for all students enrolling for this programme.

- An average of at least 65% in the admissions test (for more information, see the UP website).

 

Additional requirements

• The chosen language pair must include either English or Afrikaans (it may include both).

The choice of the other language is dependent on whether it can be accommodated in a specific year.

Other programme-specific information

  • TRL 851: Compulsory for students who wish to do their mini-dissertation with a focus on translation.
  • Prior experience at honours level is required if students wish to take TRL 800, TRL 801, TRL 802, TRL 810.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The mini-dissertation should be the product of independent research on translation and/or interpreting. Apart from an analysis and interpretation of research results, the mini-dissertation should include a thorough overview of the literature on the selected topic and a synthesis of existing views as reflected in the literature.
    Length: 18 000-20 000 words/approximately 80-100 typed pages.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Translation of more challenging specialised texts from and into French. According to the preferences of the students, they have the opportunity to specialise in a specific field of their choice. The submission of a professional translation project of a specialised text of their choice, (consisting of approximately 6 000 words) concludes this module.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to basic lexicographical concepts; typology of the dictionary; structure of the lexicon; prescriptiveness vs descriptiveness of dictionaries; needs assessment; problematic aspects of lemmatisation; corpus building; cross-referencing as lexicographic device; introduction to specialised lexicography.

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  • Module content:

    Advanced translation principles and practice. Students apply their knowledge of the use of HLT (human language technology) in translation practice. Specialisation in various types of translation such as technical translation, legal translation, literary translation (prose and/or poetry), administrative translation (service prose), translation of advertisements, etc. Students choose their field(s) of specialisation in consultation with the lecturer, using any language combination offered by the Language Departments, provided that the particular language combination can be accommodated during any given year. Where possible, practising translators specialising in the various types of translation are invited to participate in the module.

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  • Module content:

    *Students are encouraged to take undergraduate modules from the political sciences and international studies programmes for non-degree purposes.
    Introduction to interpreting practice
    This first-semester module aims at familiarising students with the skills involved in oral translation. Lectures will focus on the theory and practice of various interpreting techniques including oral summaries, sight translations and reformulations of oral texts and speeches and the practice of liaison interpreting in professional situations. Students will also be expected to split up in groups according to the working languages of their choice which, besides English, may consist of any language(s) offered at MA level. Students will be subject to an oral exam to test their mastery of these techniques.

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  • Module content:

    Students who have passed the TRL 811 module may specialise in interpreting in the second semester.
    The focus of this second-semester module is on practising the notetaking technique required for professional interpreting. Students attend both general TRL lectures primarily presented in English and practical group sessions according to their various working languages. Students will be evaluated through an oral exam.

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  • Module content:

    *Students specialising in interpreting may take this module if they have passed the module TRL 812.
    Lectures include the theory and practice of simultaneous conference interpreting of oral texts and speeches. This technique will be mastered through various techniques and practice in an interpreting booth (in the student’s working languages) will conclude this module. Students will be evaluated through an oral exam.

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  • Module content:

    *This module is compulsory for students who wish to do their mini-dissertation with a focus on translation.
    Study of the main characteristics of, and comparison between various translation models, such as text-oriented, functional, process-centred and reception-based translation. The shift from prescriptive theory to descriptive work in the field of translation studies. Corpus-based translation studies (CTS); theory and practice; the use and application of HLT (human language technology) in CTS.

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  • Module content:

    Theoretical background of current international trends in audiovisual translation, specifically subtitling. Application of these principles to South Africa as a multilingual developing country. Advanced hands-on training in the use of professional subtitling software. Subtitling of a number of full-length local and international texts representing a variety of genres and using the students' own language combinations.

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  • Module content:

    Contemporary theories and ongoing developments of literary translation; various approaches to literary translation; historical, contextual and linguistic factors relevant to literary translation; advanced practical translation of texts with genre-specific and/or culture-specific features (in addition to prose, also poetry, lyrics, plays).

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  • Module content:

    Researching three brands within three different categories: social awareness, retail and a personal branding. Writing a creative strategy for each of the chosen brands. Developing three campaigns of five communications each: the media used will depend on the strategy, the brand, target audience and communication objectives. Compiling the above in an industry-ready copy portfolio.

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  • Module content:

    Foundational aspects of governance, politics, law and economics (both in general and pertaining source-language and target-language communities and countries). An orientation to world view. Culture-specific aspects relevant to the chosen language combination. Context, appropriateness, and essential knowledge relevant to translation and, especially, interpreting.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims at familiarising students with the skills involved in court interpreting. Lectures will include the theory and practice of court interpreting, as well as some ethical aspects related to the profession. In addition to contact hours, students will also be expected to work in groups according to the working languages of their choice which, besides English, may consist of any language(s) offered at honours level. Students will be subject to an oral examination at the end of the module to ascertain their mastery of these skills.

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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