Unit information: The Translation Industry in 2015/16

Unit name	The Translation Industry
Unit code	MODLM2017
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Carol O'Sullivan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Students will choose from a list of approved topics related to the translation industry, research an agreed aspect and present their findings to the group via the discussion board. Indicative topics include: The translation industry in the UK and abroad; preparing for practice - developing competencies and skills; ethics and codes of practice; quality assurance; the business of translation. The unit tutor will have recent first-hand knowledge of the translation industry.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will:

1. Be familiar, through independent research, with the key features of today's translation industry
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the requirements for working as a freelance translator, an agency employee or a project manager.
3. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on the student's own preparation for the translation industry
4. Demonstrate familiarity with the requirements for running a translation business.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered via a series of discussion forums in Blackboard in which students will report on topics that they have researched and lead a discussion of them. There will be input from one or more professionals working in the translation industry to the discussion forum on topics such as effective marketing as a freelance translator, quality assurance, and business skills for translators.

Assessment Information

Two reports on industry-related topics: 20% (ILOs 1-2)

A portfolio containing the materials prepared on the topics considered in the discussion forums, together with a reflective log of 2,500 words on the individual student’s preparation for practice: 80%. (ILOs 1-4)

Reading and References

• Douglas Robinson, Becoming a Translator: An Introduction to Theory and Practice (Taylor and Francis, 2003)
• The National Standards in Translating (The Languages National Training Organisation: 2008)

• http://www.translationdirectory.com/translation_industry.htm