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School of Modern Languages & Cultures

Learning Aims and Outcomes

This MA supports the learning of candidates wishing to pursue a career as translators as well as those interested in pursuing a research career in Translation studies.

 

For the professional path the MA aims:

  • to develop the students’ understanding of the complex skills required to comply with professional practice, standards, and ethics;
  • to provide students with an understanding of the concepts and skills underlying translation theory and research into Translation Studies and appropriate training in how these can be applied to translation in practice;
  • to develop the students’ critical understanding of the complex skills required to translate to a professional standard;
  • to equip students with the skills to achieve accreditations recognized by the employers, by working to obtain essential knowledge of Translation Memories and working to succeed in the accreditation of Specialised Translation modules through the Educational Trust, Chartered Institute of Linguists.

 For the research path the MA also aims:

  • to equip students with functional knowledge of translation practice and theories;
  • to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to pursue independent research in the area of Translation Studies or other cognate disciplines relating to translation;
  • to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge to work between Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Turkish cultures and languages, or BSL and English either as part of their future professional careers or to undertake a research degree. 

“Of Durham MA in Translation Studies, I enjoyed translating a variety of document types. I had studied French, German and Italian at Durham University as an undergraduate.

I also really enjoyed researching into translation theory issues, especially within the field of audiovisual translation. [In my dissertation] I researched opera translation and accessibility for all, focussing in particular on sensory-impaired audiences.

[Immediately after finishing my MA,]I started working for a translation company, RWS. The MA allowed me to think of a research career. I am hoping to continue my research into opera translation as part of a PhD, and also to develop a career as a translator. ”

Sarah, UK, 2009, MA Graduate