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Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PL50587: Enterprise skills for linguists

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
This unit is designed to provide students with a general introduction to working in the translation industry, and in particular the implications of setting up in business as a freelance translator.

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 exercise of initiative and personal responsibility and tackling and solving problems independently and in an original way.
Students will have acquired a practical knowledge of how freelance translators establish themselves in their profession. They should know what is required to deliver a high-quality product and be capable of dealing successfully with both agencies and individual clients.
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 time-management and other practical business issues, and look at ways of developing their businesses and/or career prospects.
After completing the unit, students will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility, decision-making in complex situations and independent learning ability.

Content:

* Students will first be introduced to the concept of setting up and operating as a small translation business. The various options and requirements in terms of location, equipment, record keeping and financial and business planning will be explained and discussed.
* The main difficulty for newcomers to the translation 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 businesses or agencies, freelance translators).
* 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 business could be developed.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PL50587 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (German) (Full-time)

PL50587 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & German) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & Italian) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & Russian) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & Spanish) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (German & Spanish) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (Italian & Spanish) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (Russian & German) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (Spanish) (Full-time)

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.