The Translation Profession

The five modules comprising this course are intended for those wishing to learn more about the diverse aspects that make up the professional translation environment. They are suitable for practising translators (particularly junior translators and new entrants to the profession), graduands/graduates of postgraduate translation courses, career changers, and translation teaching staff in Higher Education. The modules are also suitable for adoption as part of an existing postgraduate translation course, and can be “customised” to meet individual HEI needs.

The materials have been developed by experienced translation and online learning staff from the University of Westminster, together with translators working in the professional environment.

The aim of the modules is to help develop knowledge and understanding of the translation environment, by enhancing personal and professional development through the medium of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The focus is not specifically on one culture or country. As participants, you work at your own pace, while you have the opportunity to work interactively with other participants using the Discussion Board.

E-Tutors provide support, guiding you and responding to your queries.

You will also benefit from the wide range of information and links available through the University’s website.

Aims and objectives

The general aims and objectives of the course as a whole are to:

• provide a framework for a thorough understanding and analysis of the working environment of a translator
• enable you to reflect on the complex and diverse issues involved in working as a translator
• enable you to appreciate the role and functions of professional translation associations and the importance of ethical conduct
• encourage you to explore the wide range of resources and skills relevant to a translator’s professional life.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the modules you will be able to:

• analyse and describe the translator’s working and professional environment;
• appreciate the importance of ethical behaviour and quality in translation;
• reflect on and implement the skills and resources translators need;
• appreciate the importance of CPD for translators.

Structure/Duration

This module is divided into five Modules. Each Module is divided into 3 or 4 sections.

A module lasts 2-3 weeks.

The time you spend on a Module is divided between Study (reading, analysis and reflection) and Activities (a series of tasks that enable you to actively engage with the topics).

Induction

On registering for your first Module, you take an Induction unit, which will provide further information about the structure, content and delivery of the module, enable you to evaluate your current skills levels and show you how to use the Virtual Learning Platform (VLE).

The VLE we use is called Blackboard Learn. This is an interactive platform that enables you to work online. It  is used for all communications and delivery of the modules, so it important to learn how to use it, especially if you have little or no experience of working with a VLE.

You will be working at your own pace, but able to compare notes with other participants on practices and professional issues in the translation industry across the world. The wide cultural perspective is central to gaining an informed knowledge of the industry as a whole, and to your personal and professional development.

Support

Learning support is provided on Blackboard through an E-Tutor. Participants post questions, which are answered by the E-Tutors. 

Technical assistance is available through a member of staff on the Blackboard/Online Learning Team.

Evaluation

The study and activities that you engage in are intended to help you progress through each module by developing:

1. A greater understanding of the professional translation environment;
2. The ability to articulate ideas using analysis and reflection;
3. The capacity to retrieve and apply information obtained from resources;
4. An awareness of your own skills and needs.

At the end of each Module you submit an E-Portfolio containing evidence of the activities you have engaged in. This includes tests, worksheets, notes, blogs, contributions and other materials you have created as part of your study and activities. The E-Portfolio is evaluated by the Tutor Team. You will successfully complete a Module if you can provide evidence that you have carried out the tasks set within the timescales and to a satisfactory standard. Following evaluation, your E-Portfolio is returned to you with comments.

On successful completion of a Module, you receive a Letter of Completion on headed paper from the University of Westminster, confirming your completion of the Module and your successful evaluation. The module is not credit-rated and the letter is not a certificate of studies awarded by the University. However, it confirms that you have followed a course of study through the University successfully, and can be used to evidence your CPD.

Module Descriptors

Induction

• Introduction and quiz
• Study skills (learning skills and introduction to Blackboard)

Module 1: The translation market

• Skills sets for translators
• Training and CPD
• How the market works
• What the market wants

Part 1 involves reading, reflecting and evaluating your skills levels. You also explore issues around translator CPD and the implications for your own personal and professional development.

Part 2 explores the development of the global and local translation market/s. You will also find out what translation companies expect from their translators and what implications there are for your career path.

Module 2: Resources for translators

• Terminological sources and corpora
• Model texts and glossaries
• Enhanced internet search techniques
• Build your own website

Part 1 covers corpora, register and model texts, using text analysis and model texts to act as templates and/or term-banks for your translations.

Part 2 looks at improving your internet search techniques and learning how to build your own website using open source software.

Module 3: Translation Software Tools

• Machine Translation
• Translation Memory

Part 1 looks at translation tools: Machine Translation compares and contrasts two products, while the Translation Memory section involves evaluating selected tools online.

Part 2 builds on your knowledge of Translation Memory software. You will learn about the concepts and techniques of software localisation in translation.

Module 4: Working freelance

• Setting up your business
• Marketing your services online
• Working with translation companies
• Workflow and management

In Part 1 you will be looking at business skills for translators. You will identify and cost the resources needed to set up as a freelance translator and find out how to set up a translation business in your country. You will also reflect on marketing your services.

Part 2 will discuss the contractual framework of working with translation companies, and the commissioning process. A whole range of features are covered, including managing workload, terms of business, invoicing and credit control.

Module 5: Professionalism and Quality

• Professional standards
• Ethics
• Quality in translation

This Module is divided into 3 sections, which deal with the concept of professionalism, and how it relates to the translation profession. It starts with ethical behaviour and the role of professional bodies for translators, moving on to consider quality in translation, both as regards providers and translators. You will also develop an understanding of quality assurance and control in your own work.

Application process

• TransCPD will run from mid September.
• The fee per module is £150. Payment is available online via a secure link.

Apply online now