BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation

Program Overview

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Our BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation (including foundation year) is open to Home and EU students. It will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entrance requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that increases your subject knowledge as well as improves your academic skills. This four-year course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further three years of study. During your Year Zero, you study four academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module. After successful completion of Year Zero in our Essex Pathways Department , you progress to complete your course with the Department of Language and Linguistics . We live in an increasingly globalised world, defined by its transnational connections. More than ever there is a need to communicate effectively and translate and interpret appropriately. Through studying BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation, you will become not only a language expert, ambassador and mediator but also a confident translator. You will study two languages throughout your course, choosing between; French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Your major language will be studied to Mastery level, your second language to Proficiency level. If you are a heritage speaker – for example, you were raised in an Italian-speaking household but immersed in an English-speaking community and/or education – this course gives you the chance to nurture your language skills and raise your level of competency in your heritage language The differentiator for this course opposed to other Modern Language degrees is the emphasis on not only the language and culture of the languages you study, but on the specialised skills in translation and interpreting, subtitling and cultural mediation. You will be learning the principles and practice of translation and interpreting, developing skills in:

• Cultural awareness - You will be able to understand and respect the cultural differences of the individuals or groups you are working with; understanding different cultural norms, values and beliefs.
• Conflict resolution - Intercultural mediation often involves resolving conflicts between individuals or groups from different cultures. You will learn skills in conflict resolution techniques, to help the parties involved find common ground and reach mutually acceptable solutions.

You will have the opportunity to practise and refine your skills by translating a variety of written texts and speech types, including audiovisual, generic and specialised ones. Generic texts tend to use lay-language, whereas specialised texts are more specific to a particular field or profession. Examples include:

• Medical texts: patient information leaflets, medial reports etc.
• Legal texts: legal codes, case law, contracts and legal opinions
• Business texts: business plans, annual reports, financial statements and marketing materials
• Technical texts: manuals, technical reports, engineering documents, scientific papers etc.

Alongside the study of your chosen languages and the specialised modules in translation, interpreting and subtitling, you will also study broader linguistic topics such as multilingualism, sociolinguistics and how the English language is used in the media. Why we're great.

• We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021) so you can feel confident that your lecturers and tutors are at the forefront of research.
• Focussing your study on modern languages translation, interpreting and cultural mediation will give you the specialised knowledge base needed to stand out to future employers.
• If you are a heritage speaker – for example, you were raised in an Italian speaking household but immersed in an English-speaking community and/or education – this course gives you the chance to nurture your language skills and raise your level of competency in your heritage language.

Our expert staff

Our staff are internationally recognised for their language research. Their books dominate the reading lists at other universities. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy. In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, and psycholinguistics. Key staff members on this course include:

• Ignazia Posadinu: Ignazia is the course director of Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling. She teaches English-Italian translation and interpreting; Technologies of Translation, which includes machine translation and post editing.
• Lexa Olivera -Smith: Lexa is the course director of Audiovisual and Literary Translation. She lectures in English-Spanish Translation, Audiovisual Translation and Subtitling
• Dr Beatriz De Paiva: Beatriz is the course director of Translation and Professional Practice., She teaches Portuguese- English Translation and Interpreting and Intercultural Communication: Communicating Across Languages and Cultures
• Dr Laetitia Vedrenne: Laetitia teaches Principles of Translation and Interpreting and French English interpreting
• Dr Natalia Rodriguez Vicente: Natalia combines her roles as lecturer of Interpreting and postdoctoral research associate for the INForMHAA project, funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Social Care Research.

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Specialist facilities

• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
• Our ‘Visual World’ Experimental Lab records response times and eye movements when individuals are presented with pictures and videos
• Our Eye-Tracking Lab monitors eye movement of individuals performing tasks
• Our Psycholinguistics Lab measures how long it takes individuals to react to words, texts and sounds
• Our Linguistics Lab has specialist equipment to analyse sound
• A 20-position Interpreting Lab
• Extra-curricular activities are available through student societies
• Access to specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2022 and MemoQ for technical translation, Televic and Brähler equipment for Interpreting and WinCaps Qu4ntum for Subtitling

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Your future

Companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, in addition to English. Being an Essex modern languages graduate places you in a very advantageous position. You will be able to speak and write fluently, or to a very competent standard, in up to two languages. Language skills are in scarce supply and can be used in almost any job. Career routes from BA Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation include fields such as; marketing, communications, PR and journalism as well as translation, interpreting and subtitling. Many of our graduates are currently employed in a variety of exciting roles, such as as newspaper editors, project managers, freelance translators, community interpreters, subtitlers and modern language teachers. We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of compulsory and optional modules chosen from lists. The nature of this course is such that your individual programme will differ depending upon your pre-existing language qualifications/ the language(s) you choose to study during your course. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year Away Final Year This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics. It is also a suitable choice for students who simply have an interest in language and it similarly provides a sound academic background for the study of subjects which rely extensively on proficient use of the English language such as Literature, History, Sociology, and Philosophy. View Introduction to Linguistics on our Module Directory This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics. It considers some of the theoretical underpinnings of second language acquisition and how these considerations can help inform second language teaching and learning. The areas of focus will include: the learner, the classroom environment and society. View Second Language Learning on our Module Directory This module is designed to support students in their academic subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity, collaborative and reflective practices. The students are supported through the use of subject-specific materials tailored to their chosen degrees with alignment of assessments between academic subject modules and the skills module. View Research and Academic Development Skills on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: CORE WITH OPTIONS IA108-3-FY or IA111-3-FY or IA118-3-FY (30 CREDITS) In this module, we will introduce you the theories of translation and interpreting, placing and emphasis on theories that explicitly address the intercultural component of translation and interpreting, i.e. understanding translation and interpreting as a form a intercultural communication. An emphasis will also be placed on the selection of materials that will feature a wide range of genres. This is because cultural differences may manifest differently across a variety of text types, for example, literature texts or diplomatic statements. By learning about the cultural background of the material selected, students are encourages to engage in a critical decision-making activity where they are challenged to navigate the nuances across cultural meanings and find the most suitable translation solutions. This module takes you a step further and encourages you to not just be translators or interpreters but intercultural mediators. To this end, text analysis, paraphrasing, condensation and summarising exercises, together with production of oral speeches, presentations (speaking in public) and short essays writing will constitute part of the module content and assessment. These tasks will also improve both language fluency and accuracy. Lectures are dedicated to the introduction of translation and interpreting theory. Seminars are language-specific and dedicated to the practice of translation and interpreting. View Concepts of Translation and Cultural Mediation on our Module Directory This introductory module provides a foundation of key concepts relating to languages, language learning and intercultural communication. It develops language awareness and complements the skills required for language-specific modules. View Language Expert 1 on our Module Directory COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Major Language (advanced level) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Minor Language (higher intermediate or above or Intensive Initial Parts 1 & 2) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory In this module you will be introduced to key concepts of grammar and pragmatics and how they relate to the translation processes, particularly to making appropriate language choices. You will learn to analyse grammatical and pragmatic features of source texts in English, identify translation challenges (e.g. lack of grammatical equivalence) and select the strategies and techniques most suitable to overcome these difficulties. As this is a module designed for all students on the degree, irrespective of your target language, you will concentrate on grammatical and pragmatic features in English and contrast them with features of your target languages. View Grammar and Pragmatics for Translation on our Module Directory View Practice of Translation and Cultural Mediation I on our Module Directory What is 'meaning' as it relates to words and sentences? How is the meaning of a sentence affected by the context it is produced in? These are the fundamental issues you will address in this module. You will examine the relationship between what is said and what is meant, with the first part of the course looking at basic issues in Semantics. The second part of the course will examine the distinction between a speaker's words and what a speaker means by those words – the domain of pragmatics. View Semantics and Pragmatics: Meaning and Discourse on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Major Language: (Proficiency Level) option from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Minor Language: (Advanced Level or above) option from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 06: OPTIOL Option from list (15 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory View Year Abroad Modules on our Module Directory What fascinates you? Want to undertake independent study on one or more of your languages? Produce a dissertation, in a foreign language, on a topic of your choice. Remember your dissertation could take the form of a treatise, a translation with commentary, or a piece of video subtitling with commentary. View Language Dissertation on our Module Directory This module is to help you refine and consolidate the skill and strategies learned in the 1st and 2nd year of the course: public speaking, specialised translation, consecutive and bilateral interpreting. You will be experiencing a systematic approach to note taking for interpreting, alongside further aspect of Pragmatics and Interpreting ethics applied to business and public service scenarios. Introduction to technologies of translation to enhance and speed up the translation process will also be part of this module. In the AU term you will also be introduced to aspects of Audiovisual Translation and learn the foundations of subtitling skills. In the practical, language specific seminar classes, students will be discussing and finding solutions for the translation of technical as well as literary texts, they will be practicing note taking for interpreting in business and public service setting as well as practicing consecutive and dialogic interpreting. The translation and interpreting tasks will be quite specialised and therefore this module will be drawing on perspectives borrowed from multiple disciplines to find a transdisciplinary framework that helps to compare cultures: frameworks in psychology, anthropology, international business, applied linguistics and discourse studies. View Practice of Translation and Cultural Mediation II on our Module Directory COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Major language: (Master Level) option from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Minor language: (Proficiency Level or above) option from list (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory

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Teaching

• Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminar sessions or discussion classes
• State-of-the-art technologies and materials create an ideal learning environment
• Activities designed to develop your practical language skills, such as role-play and class presentations
• Cultural and social themes are explored through film, music, the internet, theatre and literature

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Assessment

• You’re assessed through a combination of coursework (assignments, essays and tests) and end-of-year examinations.
• Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects.