Graduate Certificate in Translation: Spanish

The graduate certificate program in Spanish translation provides students with an introduction to the methods, problems, technology, and theory of translation of the written word. The emphasis is on general translation into English, but we also provide secondary training in reverse translation, and use texts from the fields of business, politics, technology, medicine, and literature.

Our guiding principles are “learning by doing” and “connecting Academia with the world.” Students work individually and in groups to complete real translation assignments in a simulated working environment, thus familiarizing themselves with the different phases of translation as a process and a product: textual analysis, to identify preliminary problems and choose a particular translation approach and technology; documentation, to solve field-specific problems of meaning and form through meticulous research via online and offline sources; pre-translation and translation, with and without the help of computer-assisted technology, and evaluation, to control and assess the quality of a translation product, self-made or otherwise.

Our teaching is in line with current research and the market’s needs. Thus, in addition to traditional full-text translation, we provide training in other highly demanded services such as adaptation and selective trans-adaptation. Also, and differently from other translation programs, we do not teach translation theory and practice as separate courses but in tandem. Rather than training students to follow a particular framework, we foster an environment where students are encouraged to evaluate and critique their own translations and their peers’, assessing the potential contribution of critical notions in translation theory (e.g., skopos, equivalence, invisibility, translationese, etc.).

Similarly, because the computer has become a crucial part of the professional translator toolkit, we train students to translate by using technology. Students learn how to mine the Web to retrieve information from open-public and specialized databases, dictionaries, discussion boards, or even Facebook; they familiarize themselves with the basic functioning of translation memory systems, such as Wordfast, SDL Trados, or Déjà Vu; they learn how to write collaboratively using Web 2.0 tools such as Google+, Google docs, or iEtherPad; or they learn how to create captions with subtitling software, to provide a few examples.   

In today’s global economy, translators are employed by governments, international organizations, commercial and nonprofit research institutions, national and multinational corporations, and the news media. Language majors and minors, students in international business or international affairs, and anyone seeking employment at agencies or businesses with an international dimension can enhance job possibilities through translation expertise. 

Admission to the Program

Open to students who have a bachelor’s degree. If the undergraduate degree is not in the language for which they wish to obtain a certificate, students must have completed the appropriate 300-level Conversation and Composition II or Advanced II language course, or equivalent. Equivalency is determined in consultation with the faculty advisor. Students whose native language is not English must meet university requirements for English competency (minimum TOEFL score of 600). Before commencing the program, students should consult the appropriate advisor in the Department of Language and Foreign Studies to plan their program of study. The College of Arts and Sciences uses a rolling admissions process. Apply online or visit the Graduate Admissions Web site for additional information.

 

Certificate Requirements

The certificate requires 15 credit hours of course work. For core courses to count toward the certificate, students must receive a grade of B or better. For non-core courses, students complete an additional translation project beyond the normal course requirements and must receive a satisfactory evaluation for their project. Students will only be permitted to do these translation projects after having completed at least one of the first two core courses. Students must have an overall 3.00 grade point average in certificate courses in order to be awarded the certificate. 

 

Course Requirements

The Spanish translation certificate program provides students with a solid grounding in translation theory and practice.  The graduate translation certificate consists of the following courses:

Core 

• SPAN-658 Introduction to Spanish Translation (3) 
• SPAN-659 Advanced Spanish Translation (3) 
• One of the following: 

• SPAN-656 Spanish Topics (approved language-related topic)
• SPAN-661 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3) 

Electives 

• Two courses selected from the other core courses or from offerings in Spanish at the 500 level or above.

Students interested in obtaining further translation credentials are encouraged to discuss their options with their advisor.  

All five courses required for the translation certificate can be applied to our Master’s in Spanish: Latin American Studies.