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PL50974: Proofreading, editing and management skills for translators and interpreters (Chinese)

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework 1 (CW 25%)
  • Coursework 2 (CW 25%)
  • Coursework 3 (CW 25%)
  • Coursework 4 (Team Project) (CW 25%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: This unit is only available to students on the MA in Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese)
Description: Aims:
This unit is designed to provide students with a general introduction to working in the translation and interpreting industry, the management of translation projects and interpreting assignments (including the management of teams of translators or interpreters), and in particular the implications of setting up in business as a freelance translator and/or interpreter in mainland China and in other territories where Mandarin Chinese is an official language. It will also include an introduction to proofreading, revision and editing.

Learning Outcomes:
After completing the unit, students should be able to demonstrate qualities of the kind needed for employment in this specialised sector, including the skills necessary to develop their own professional practice in commercially viable ways.
Students will have acquired a practical knowledge of how freelance translators and interpreters establish themselves in their profession and develop their careers. They should know what is required to deliver a high-quality product - including proofreading, revision and editing - and be capable of dealing successfully with both agencies and individual clients of different kinds. Also, they should understand and be able to apply the principles of translation and interpreting management, especially for the management of projects undertaken by teams of translators or interpreters. In addition, they should have gained an understanding of commercial and regulatory practices and procedures as they affect small businesses and the self-employed.

Skills:
This unit teaches students a knowledge and understanding of the professional qualities, abilities and approaches that are required of newcomers to the translation industry.
They will learn how to market themselves and their services through effective communication and presentation, and how to maintain successful relationships with clients and work-providers.
Students will be shown strategies for dealing with the management of translation projects and interpreting assignments, and other practical business issues, as well as exploring ways of developing their businesses and/or career prospects.
Students will learn proofreading, revision and editing skills.

Content:

* Students will first be introduced to the concept of setting up and operating a small translation or interpreting business. The various options and requirements in terms of location, equipment, record keeping and financial and business planning will be explained and discussed.
* Students will then be introduced to the principles of translation and interpreting management in the commercial context, with a particular focus on managing teams of translators or interpreters.
* The main difficulty for newcomers to the translation and interpreting industry is establishing their professional credibility without the benefit of a substantial track record. Students will be shown how to optimise their profile and overcome this problem by means of targeted and effective marketing and promotion.
* A wide range of practical scenarios will then be explored from the experience of the tutors. The issues raised will be discussed from the standpoint of all the parties concerned (i.e. clients, translation and interpreting businesses or agencies, freelance translators and interpreters).
* In their assessed coursework, students will be asked to report on how such issues might best be resolved, and to consider how a newly established translation or interpreting business could be developed.
* Proofreading, revision and editing.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL50974 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM26 : MA Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.