This module equips students to work professionally and reflectively in the translation market dealing with specialized and technical texts. The module provides students with the relevant competences to translate scientific and technical text types. Students will be introduced to scientific and technical translation through lectures and language-specific, interactive seminars. After an introductory session on the characteristics of scientific and technical translation, students work in language-specific groups, where they will translate a wide range of specialised texts belonging to scientific and technical domains (to include popular science articles, scientific journal papers, scientific reports, proposals, user guides, product documentation, patents, technical specifications, etc.).

The module will cover the following topics, which may be subject to variation depending on developments in academic research and the interests of the class:


	Current understanding of scientific and technical translation as professional practices.
	
	
	Translations and discussion of a range of text types.
	
By the end of the module, you should be able to:


	Understand the linguistic and cultural issues involved in translating a range of technical and scientific text types.
	

	Identify sound and correct sources for specific terminologies.
	

	Use appropriate lexico-grammatical strategies to translate a range of text types.
	

	Carry out suitable background research to better understand content and expectations of intended audiences.
	

	Select translation solutions appropriate to genre, purpose, and intended audiences.
	

	Know how to adhere to writing and textual conventions in specific technical and scientific fields.
	

	Recognize examples of good professional practice and suitable repertoires of resources and links for technical and scientific translators available on Internet and elsewhere.
	
Recommended Reading

Byrne, Jody. 2014. Scientific and Technical Translation Explained: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Beginners. London: Routledge.

Olohan, Maeve. 2015. Scientific and Technical Translation. London: Routledge.

 

Students eligible for this module must pre-select their preferred language combination prior to enrolment and normally before the 31st of July. SELCS/CMII will send preference selection instructions to eligible offer holders. We cannot guarantee that any given language combination will run unless this deadline is strictly adhered to. Students must have excellent competence in one of the language pairs listed below. Students are expected to translate into their native language.

From English into Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish.

From French, German or Spanish into English.