Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies - 2018

Postgraduate - Course

Commencement year

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2018 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Arts.

Other commencement years for this course: 2017, 2016 and 2015

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Course code

A6007

Credit points

96

Abbreviated title

MInter&TransSt

CRICOS code

089736B

Managing faculty

Arts

Coordinator

Dr Leah Gerber

Contact details

Tel: 1800 MONASH (1800 666 274) Web address: http://future.arts.monash.edu/mits/

Admission and fees

Australia

Course progression map

A6007 (pdf)

Course type

Specialist
Master by coursework

Standard duration

2 years FT, 4 years PT

This course normally takes 2 years full-time to complete but if you have relevant entry qualifications you may receive credit and be able to complete the course in 1.5 years full-time, or part-time equivalent.

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this course including any periods of intermission and suspension, and must be continuously enrolled throughout.

Mode and location

On-campus (Clayton, Suzhou)

Award

Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate in Arts

Graduate Diploma in Arts

Refer to 'Alternative exits' entry below for further requirements and details.

Description

The Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies is aimed at students with advanced bilingual proficiency and seeks to develop their skills in translation and interpreting from/to English and another language, and their awareness of practical and theoretical approaches to translation/interpreting practice and studies. The course offers two specialisations, focusing on:

  • translation (Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish)
  • interpreting and translation (Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish).

Note: Languages on offer in any one year may vary depending on student enroments.

Students gain a foundation in theories of translation and interpreting and receive training in research in the field. Upon completion of this course, students are able to conceptualise translation/interpreting studies as an academic discipline in its historical, cross-disciplinary and intercultural context.

Double degrees

The Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies can be taken as part of a double degree course with the following universities:

  • Jean Moulin Lyon III (Translation specialisation)
  • Kobe City University of Foreign Studies (Interpreting and translation specialisation)
  • South East University* (Interpreting and translation specialisation)
  • Universitas Trieste (Translation specialisation or Interpreting and translation specialisation).

In each case you will study one year at Monash University in Australia and one year at the partner university. In each case you will receive two master's degrees, the Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies from Monash University and an equivalent qualification from the partner university.

* This double degree course is only open for enrolment from South East University in China.

Specialisations

Translation

This specialisation will equip you for work in areas where written translation and writing skills are required such as literary and cultural translation, cross-cultural communication, business, law, science and technology, publishing, editing, journalism etc. Students in this specialisation work from their B language into their A language. This stream also focusses on research methodologies for those who want to pursue doctoral studies in translation studies.

Interpreting and translation

This specialisation will equip you for work in areas where interpreting (verbal translation) and cross-cultural skills are required such as healthcare, legal, business, court, education but also diplomacy and international meetings and conferences. Training is bi-directional and in two languages and prospective students must be highly proficient and able to converse fluently in both.

The translation component will equip you for work in areas where written translation is required such as cross-cultural communication, business, law, science, technology etc. Students work in translation from their B language into their A language.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate advanced skills in translation and interpreting from/to English and another language, and their awareness of practical and theoretical approaches to translation/interpreting practice suitable for accreditation
  2. articulate and apply knowledge of global best practice in interpretation and translation in diverse professional contexts
  3. apply a critical familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study
  4. apply advanced reading, analytical and communication skills, both written and verbal
  5. demonstrate advanced analytical skills
  6. demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research.

Fieldwork

Practicum

Practicum is embedded into the certain units, helping you gain real world experiences in the translation and interpreting industry. By working with professionals in the industry and/or alongside professionals who frequently use interpreters and translators, you will develop useful skills and a better understanding of way in which theory relates to practice. Employers participating in the practicum may also become a useful recruitment resource for graduates of the program.

Professional recognition

This course is endorsed by NAATI for the following certification levels: Certified Translator, Certified Advanced Translator, Certified Interpreter, Certified Specialist Interpreter (Legal), Certified Specialist Interpreter (Health), Certified Conference Interpreter.

On completion of the required units of the degree, students are therefore eligible to directly sit the NAATI certification tests for any of these levels.

Structure

The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced interpreting and translation studies and Part B. Core master's study. Depending upon prior qualifications, students in the translation specialisation (only) may receive credit for Part A.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundations for advanced interpreting and translation studies (48 points)

The focus of these studies is the theory and practice of both translation and interpreting and familiarising you with current research models and methodologies in translation studies. Students in the interpreting and translation specialisations will also focus on more recent research issues in the emerging field of interpreting studies.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of interpreting and translation practice, providing intensive language-specific practice in written and oral transfer skills to the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). In addition to the relevant theoretical frameworks, the core units will also provide you with the discourse analysis, ethical and professional frameworks that are essential for professional interpreting and translation practice.

Requirements

The course comprises 96 points structured into two parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced interpreting and translation studies (48 points) and Part B. Core master's study (48 points).

  • Students admitted at entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A and Part B.
  • Students admitted at entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising 24 points from Part A and all of Part B.
  • Students at Southeast University, China are also admitted at entry level 1 and complete 96 points comprising block credit for master's-level study at Southeast University (48 points) and all of Part B (48 points).

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2018handbooks/maps/map-a6007.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundations for advanced interpreting and translation studies (48 points)

Students complete four units, depending upon their specialisation.

Translation

  • APG5875 Introduction to interpreting and translation studies*

and three units chosen from:

  • APG5044 Professional internship* OR 12 points of approved units from any other Arts Graduate coursework program. All units are available unless marked with an asterisk(*)
  • APG5856 Research project
  • APG5874 Global translation and interpreting professional practices*
  • APG5876 Translation trends in a digital age*

Interpreting and translation

  • APG5875 Introduction to interpreting and translation studies*
  • APG5049 Theory and practice of interpreting*

and two units chosen from:

  • APG5044 Professional internship*
  • APG5874 Global translation and interpreting professional practices*
  • APG5856 Research project
  • APG5876 Translation trends in a digital age*

* Students may elect to take the research option and may replace APG5044 and APG5874 with the research thesis option: APG5848 Research thesis (24 points). They should not complete both the research thesis and APG5856.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete the following four units for their specialisation.

Translation

  • APG5048 Translation for special purposes*
  • APG5690 Applied translation*
  • APG5883 Major translation project part 1**
  • APG5884 Major translation project part 2**

** Students may elect to replace the project units with a research thesis option: APG5848 Research thesis (24 points)

Interpreting and translation

Alternative exits

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:

  • Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
  • Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.

Progression to further studies

Students in the translation specialisation can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research.