MA Audiovisual and Literary Translation

Program Overview

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Should translated literature be entirely faithful to the original text, or should the translation be free and creative not to lose the poetic elements of the text? How can translation account for wordplay, complex metaphors, untranslatable idioms, and unique literary styles? How to translate experimental literature that ignores grammatical rules or defies stylistic conventions? How to effectively convey social and cultural contexts when translating literary, audiovisual, and multimodal texts? How to make the most of the creative challenges and possibilities associated with subtitling, dubbing, and voiceover? Building on the internationally recognised expertise of both our Departments of Language and Linguistics , and our Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies , our MA Audiovisual and Literary Translation course will allow you to further specialise in literature and literary translation, audiovisual translation, and general translation. We combine translation theory with practice, allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding of the linguistic, stylistic, and cultural aspects of translation. You will develop your own personal translation skills, allowing you to translate a literary work accurately and creatively from one language to another. Our course is offered with the combination of English and one of the following languages: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. You can be a native or near-native speaker of any of these languages, as you learn to translate to and from both languages. You work with native speakers in developing your ability to move accurately and quickly between your chosen language and English. Explore our hands-on, practical modules in the Department of Language and Linguistics, covering areas including:

• Audiovisual Translation
• Translation Portfolio
• Subtitling Principles and Practice

Learn about connections between different literatures and cultures attending wide-ranging topics in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, including:

• Crossing the Boundaries: Literature and Translation in a Global Context
• The Modern City: From Modernism to Postmodernism
• African American Literature
• Continental Crossings: Caribbean and US Literature and Culture
• Documentary and the Avant-garde: Film, Video, Digital
• Queer: History, Literature, Politics

We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021). Ranked 11th in the UK for Linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023). If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex. Why we're great.

• We offer interdisciplinary studies from our Departments of Language and Linguistics, and Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
• We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
• Our lecturers come from all corners of the world – they impart their expertise in areas of professional translation

Our expert staff

Our lecturers are skilled interpreters and translators, experienced in training students with the necessary skills for professional practice. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios with capped language-specific seminars. Our lecturers come from around the world including France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Cuba, China, and the UK. They will share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation. Within our Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies, Professor Karin Littau specialises in book and film history, reception, adaptation and translation studies, and is especially interested in the effects of print, cinematograph, and computers on practices of reading, writing, and translation. Dr Joanna Rzepa is a specialist in literary translation and researches the complex interface between literary production, print culture, and politics, as well as Holocaust writing in translation. Dr Mary Mazzilli is an expert in theatre studies, playwright, and dramaturg, and researches comparative drama with a focus on intercultural and global performance practices.

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Specialist facilities

• 24-hour self-access to our translation lab dedicated to translation students
• Use specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2019
• Meet fellow readers at the student-run Literature Society or at the department’s Myth Reading Group
• Access the University’s Media Centre, equipped with state-of-the-art studios, cameras, audio and lighting equipment, and an industry-standard editing suite
• Weekly multilingual workshops led by internationally renowned experts from the industry
• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

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Your future

If you love literature and languages and would like to acquire professional translation skills, then our MA Audiovisual and Literary Translation is for you. Takers of our courses in translation can use the skills gained to further their future career in this area. You develop a range of key employability skills including researching, writing for specific purposes, and translation. Our course typically leads to a career in translation, but could also lead to a career in education, publishing and administration. We work with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. Within our Department of Language and Linguistics, we also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil. We offer supervision in areas including language acquisition, language learning and language teaching, culture and communication, psycholinguistics, language disorders, sociolinguistics, and theoretical and descriptive linguistics. Within our Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, we offer MPhil and PhD programmes in Literature, Creative Writing, Film Studies, and Theatre Studies. We offer supervision in a wide range of areas, including literary translation, modern and contemporary literature, postcolonial literature, creative writing, documentary film and media, travel writing, Caribbean literatures, nature writing, literature and law, experimental theatre and performance, and African American literature, and feminist writing. Our graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers.

Program Outline

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. 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 1 Want to consolidate your practical language skills by conducting a project investigating translation, interpreting or subtitling? Work with a supervisor to define specific research questions. Search existing studies for information about your topic. Reflect on the processes involved and learn how to write an extended report on your findings. View Dissertation on our Module Directory What is audiovisual translation? This module will introduce you to the key theoretical concepts and professional practices in audiovisual and multimodal text translation. You will explore key theories and current trends in the field and develop a critical awareness of the practical, linguistic, social and cultural issues associated with audiovisual translation. Practical assignments in subtitling, dubbing and voiceover will help you to apply your knowledge and develop the technical skillss required to work in this specialised field. View Audiovisual Translation on our Module Directory Want to produce accurate and reader-friendly interlingual subtitles? How do you recognise good subtitling? What skills does it require? Develop your understanding of the subtitling process. Learn to use the spotting and word-processing functions of professional subtitling software, while building your proof reading and editing skills. View Subtitling: Principles and Practice on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Language option from list (15 CREDITS) COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Language option from list (15 CREDITS) This module explores the practice and theory of translating literary texts in a global context. We will discuss issues related to literary form and genre, analysing translations of epic and lyric poetry, prose fiction, and classical and modern drama. We will examine the changes in the cultural status of translation from the ancient times to the present, analysing ways in which translations have contributed to the dissemination and reception of texts. The module considers literary translation as an act of crossing national borders and linguistic and cultural boundaries and an activity that allows diverse literary cultures to come into contact. We will explore literary translation in a global context, discussing historical moments in which literary texts and their translations originate, and focusing on the questions of power and ideology, feminism and gender, and cultural hegemony and postcolonialism. We will also focus on the political and philosophical debates that literary translations have provoked. View Crossing the Boundaries: Literature and Translation in a Global Context on our Module Directory COMPONENT 07: OPTIOL Literature option from list (20 CREDITS) COMPONENT 08: OPTIOL Literature option from list (20 CREDITS)

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Teaching

• We use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, workshops and demonstrations
• Courses include both compulsory and optional modules, so the course can be tailored to fit your interests and aspirations
• Lab sessions using translation software

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Assessment

• Your eight one-term modules are assessed by coursework
• You are also assessed on your dissertation

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Dissertation

• Your 16,000-word dissertation allows you to focus i- depth on your chosen topic from April onwards