Translation in Theory and Practice (Dutch/English)

Specialisation of: Linguistics
Degree: Master of Arts in Linguistics
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year (full-time); 1,5 year (part-time)
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60815
Share |

The aim of the master’s programme in Translation in Theory and Practice is to familiarize you with the many different challenges a translator faces and with the large variety of reference works, information sources and tools at the translator’s disposal.

In tutorials, you do not only discuss translation problems, you also look at the importance of semantics, pragmatics, stylistics and heuristics.
In addition, you study translation theories that may help you to make well-informed choices when translating or editing a variety of text types on a wide range of topics, both in Dutch and in English.
The master’s in Leiden provides you with an opportunity to focus on legal or literary translation.

Career

Career and PhD

As an MA graduate in English Language and Linguistics, you will have acquired a detailed knowledge and contextual understanding of your specialist field of study. You will have learnt to deal with complex issues in an independent manner and to produce clear, succinct findings under expert guidance.

There are a variety of career options available to holders of an MA in English Language and Linguistics. You can pursue a career in research by applying for a PhD, or use your newly acquired linguistic and analytical skills for a career in publishing, in communications, in a translation agency, as a copywriter, editor or proof-reader. Graduates often also find employment in business services, education, as teachers or lecturers, or they take up a career in journalism. You will also find your skills sought after within the world of commerce.

The procedure for admission to the PhD track is conducted by means of job applications. However, students with a particular interest in an academic career are advised to opt for a research master’s programme, since these programmes explicitly prepare students for research at PhD level.

Information about application and programmes can be found at the Leiden Humanities Gradute School website.

Teacher-training in English

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can follow a teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education once you have graduated from the master’s programme. You have to speak fluent Dutch to follow the course, and there are some additional entry requirements. For more information see the ‘Lerarenopleiding Engels’ (in Dutch) on this site.

Some figures about graduates of English Language and Linguistics.

How succesful are they in finding a job?

  • 97% found a job within six months.
  • 75% found their first job at academic or HBO (higher professional) level.
  • 94 % held a position at academic or HBO level when the study was carried out.

In which sector do they find jobs?

  • Teaching: 20
  • Business services: 20
  • Publishing / book sector: 12
  • Research: 8
  • Government / semi-government: 8
  • Communication and journalism: 8
  • Other: 22

What are their main tasks and responsibilities? (%)

  • Writing/ editing / translating: 29
  • Co-ordination of work: 25
  • Teaching / lecturing / training: 20
  • Research: 16
  • Providing advice: 14

Source: Employment Market Study among Leiden Graduates of English Language and Culture (2009, Student Career Service Humanities )

What our alumni say

Thijs Porck

“I did not want to commit myself to one specialisation. That freedom of choice has enabled me to work in different areas.”

“After graduating, I started working as a lecturer at the department of English Language and Culture at Leiden University. Recently, I also got involved in a course at the English department of the Radboud University Nijmegen. I supervise students in various courses, including phonetics, phonology and syntax of Present Day English, Old English literature and Early Modern English sociolinguistics. As such, I am widely employable and this I owe largely to the versatility of the master’s programme at Leiden University.

The master’s programme offers a wide range of English courses, divided over the areas Language Acquisition, Linguistics, Literature and Philology. Each student is allowed to make his or her own selection of courses. This one of the assets of this master’s programme: students who, for example, are only interested in Literature can fill up their programme accordingly. Conversely, a broad, versatile master’s programme remains a possibility. I did not want to commit myself to one specialization, but took courses in two areas instead (Linguistics and Philology). That freedom of choice has enabled me to work in different areas.

The quality of the education is high. Each course is taught by an expert in his or her field and this is reflected in the enthusiasm of the teachers and the passion they convey to their students. Besides practical skills, such as English speaking and writing skills, the programme offers ample training and opportunity for conducting your own research. This explains why this master’s programme is an excellent base for a societal as well as an academic career.”

Thijs Porck, researcher Leiden University Centre for Linguistics