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
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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.

Programme

There are three obligatory courses:

  • Advanced Translation: the course will familiarize students with the challenges a translator faces in practice;
  • Translation Studies: Is translation a skill, something that can be learnt? Or is it an art form, requiring more inspiration than perspiration? What can translation theory teach us – if anything?
  • Translator’s Tools: Translator’s Tools is a heuristics course, in which students will learn how to find and use reference tools, including CAT (computer-assisted translation tools), and how to conduct and write up translation-related research.

After the first block in the first semester students must choose a specific field of interest:

  • Legal Translation
  • Literary Translation

The programme will be finished by writing a thesis of 20 ECTS