Translation Studies (MA)

This is an interdisciplinary MA programme, which explores and critiques the importance of translation in contemporary society. Students with a background in two languages—French, German, Irish, Italian or Spanish—will consolidate and extend their translation skills between these languages and English, and will also gain an appreciation of the centrality of translation in critical debates on intercultural communication.

In Semester 1, the programme introduces students to the field of Translation Studies, providing a strong theoretical focus and the history and development of this field through seminars. Alongside this, students develop the skills of translation, focusing on any two of French, German, Irish, Italian and Spanish, and may select from cognate subjects dealing with Intercultural Communication or Translation Methodology and Text.

In Semester 2, students continue to work on their translation skills, and subsequently complete a dissertation broadly related to any of the theoretical or social issues broached throughout the year and relevant to the field of Translation Studies, focusing on one of their languages.

As there is a genuine need for professional translators, this postgraduate programme in Translation Studies will be an important qualification for graduates wishing to add specific professional skills to their primary qualifications. An important aspect of the programme will be the exploitation of new language technology, utilising the multimedia facilities available on campus.