Master of Arts in Translation (MAT)
- View the web page for the M.A. in Translation program
Core Curriculum (10 courses, 30 credits – 60 ECTS)
The theoretical core courses provide a foundation in translation studies and introduce students to the theoretical and conceptual framework of the discipline as well as to research tools, while the practical courses immerse students in applied models of translation, translation strategies and principles, specialized translation, professional trends, and current issues in translation practice. Included in the core courses are two courses in information-technology which help students understand the crucial role of the application of translation tools in the translation process.
Introduces students to the functions of translation in society and to the multiple ways in which translation operates in multilingual and multicultural environments. The course encourages students to understand the importance of translation as an area of study, a social process and a cultural product, and the age-old role translation has played as mediator between societies and cultures. It addresses translational aspects from a problem-focused perspective, dealing with issues such as equivalence, culture, text, humor and the metaphoric use of language. Students are familiarized with key theoretical concepts in translation studies, and they are enabled to critically assess the premises on which various approaches to Translation Studies are based. The issues addressed in this course ultimately guide students towards adopting a critical view of the theoretical underpinnings of translation with the goal of effectively preparing them for the practice of translation. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to the world of industrial translation, the sector that generates the lion’s share of the global translation turnover. Students will get accustomed to the various uses, functions, and practices of translation in international companies and markets. The course has a two-part design: It combines hands-on translation of various text types with an in-depth examination of the processes, concepts, and practices in multinational professional settings. While the translational exercises in class deal with a wide range of subjects of general interest so as to familiarize the students with the broader semiotic and cultural processes involved in translation as a mental activity, aspects that frame translation as a situated professional activity will also be addressed in each session. These include professional identity, translator-client relations, translation quality and norms, translation technology and tools, workflow models and customer acquisition. The aim is to deepen the students’ understanding of professional standards and practices and to assist them to envision themselves on the translation market in different positions of the production cycle. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to the use of terminology analysis and terminology management for the translation of specialized texts. Students begin by distinguishing between LSP and LGP, and are gradually led towards more complex, concept-based categorizations of terms. The course also emphasizes the interrelation between subject-field knowledge and terminology, making reference to the process of term standardization by industry stakeholders. Attention is placed on issues of term synonymy (concepts referred to by two or more terms) and to polysemy/homonymy (where many terms lead to more than one meaning). Terms are treated as vocabulary for special language and students are provided ongoing training in distinguishing between terms and non-terms. The course also prepares students for conducting preliminary terminographical work and gives them the tools to prepare and store their first monolingual and bilingual glossaries. The program also includes an independent project with the Terminology Unit of the European Parliament (TERMCOORD). Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Requires students to apply the theoretical approaches to translation to the practice of translation. They are assigned texts from different genres and discourses to be translated into another language. Through the practice of translating, students develop a critical awareness of how the basic principles of translation theory that they have been taught so far can be related to the practice of translating. The aim of the course is to encourage students to tackle real-life translation issues and to use various strategies for handling problems encountered in the process of translating, taking into account the client’s instructions and deadlines. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
In this course translation is looked upon as a socio-cultural practice which is carried out for specific purposes, and as a cultural activity which plays a particular role in a cultural system. Emphasis is placed on EU translation and students gain familiarization with the fast-growing and demanding EU translation industry. The role of translators, as well as particular tools used to carry out such translations is foregrounded. The course therefore examines the role of translation in a particular context, that of EU and EU institutions and looks upon the various roles a translator may assume as a mediator between different cultures and ideologies within a given social context. Issues of institutional ideology and ideology in translation are also addressed. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to all aspects of literary translation, using examples of writing from the 1960s till the present day and well known, as well as very modern, Anglophone and Greek authors. Students will have to translate prose, plays, and poetry from English to Greek and vice versa, touching upon the influences and the historical and socio-political background at the time of the creation of the work examined each week. Therefore, a general overview of the work of each of the writers will be given, followed by a translation of the pieces of writing included in the course syllabus. Moreover, they will be urged to apply the respective translation theories on their translations and pinpoint and discuss translation problems. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Students are asked to apply theoretical approaches to translation to translation practice. They are assigned texts from different genres and discourses to be translated into another language. Through translating, students develop a critical awareness of the possibilities of relating translation theories to the practice of translating and to analyze in depth the linguistic, cultural and societal particularities that characterize a text to be translated. The course encourages students to tackle real-life translation issues and to use various strategies for handling problems encountered in the process of translating, while taking into account the client’s instructions. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to terminology and LSP (Language for Special Purposes), as well as to terminology management via information technology tools and the Internet. The course also focuses on the key role of developing research skills to enable data retrieval from the World Wide Web. Hands-on sessions give students a chance to learn how to find and use on-line glossaries, on-line dictionaries and parallel texts concerning their language pair. Emphasis is given to students creating their own glossaries, tailored to their needs, (.xls, .doc, .tmw). Students learn how to evaluate websites from internal and external evidence and to choose suitable websites for their work. They are trained on a commercial CAT tool (SDL Trados) to store and retrieve terms and their associated data. Emphasis is given to practice on the TMS so that students understand the possibilities offered by a Translation Memory. They also learn how to set up and populate a termbase (basic functions) and use the memory system in conjunction with a word processor. The ultimate purpose is to enhance students’ technological skills, help them increase productivity, and organize their work more efficiently. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to the various thematic fields within which translators operate and to the different translation contexts and genre-specific features pertaining to Specialized Translation. The course builds upon the theories and practices covered in other courses and enables students to apply the strategies previously taught to the translation of specialized documents. Students are introduced to the research tools required to effectively address issues of terminology and specialized phraseology. Through practice, they are gradually familiarized with the steps of translating specialized texts in a range of different disciplines. Students are provided throughout the course with guided practice in extracting key information and in researching, analyzing, and translating specialized texts at a professional level. The thematic structure of this course includes specialized translations from the fields of commerce and law. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to the various thematic fields within which translators operate and to the different translation contexts and genre-specific features pertaining to Specialized Translation. The course builds upon the theories and practices covered in other courses and enables students to apply the strategies taught earlier to the translation of specialized documents. Students are introduced to the research tools required to efficiently use terminology and specialized phraseology. Through practice, they gradually familiarize with the steps necessary for translating specialized texts in different disciplines. Students are provided throughout the course with guided practice in extracting key information, researching, analyzing and translating specialized texts at a professional level. The thematic structure of this course includes specialized translations from the fields of business, technology and sciences. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to all aspects of Audiovisual Translation, focusing on more technical translation modes, such as subtitling and dubbing. More specifically, students learn about the various forms of audiovisual translation – from the subtitling of films, popular TV series and commercial spots to dubbing, voice-over and audio description, as well as the creation of subtitles for the hearing impaired people and how to write screenplays. The focus will be on the specific rules and norms of subtitling and the students will also learn how to analyze the various components of audiovisual materials (speech, sound, text). Moreover, by using subtitle software, they will get acquainted with the strategies used to transfer spoken dialogue into written language subtitles and how subtitling work is done at a professional level. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
Introduces students to the process of adapting content from one language to another while maintaining the existing tone, intent and style. Students will be enabled to inject their own creativity and cultural knowledge to create content that resonates with a new audience and will get accustomed on reshaping a marketing message to better fit a local market. The course’s translational exercises (in-class and take-home) shall familiarize the students with new concepts as increasing brand awareness or generating new sales leads. Prerequisites: None Credits: 3
This course will provide students with further skills in Audiovisual Translation, emphasizing on audiovisual content diversity, technological developments and current market trends. Students will be introduced to the challenges of subtitling/voice over-dubbing of specialized AV content, such as sports, scientific and educational material, and learn the tactics to overcome recurrent problems, such as working without a script or from a "third" language. By simulating AV projects workflow, students will learn how to adapt to guidelines, work alone and as part of a team and gain the technical knowledge (video processing) to deliver their own subtitled content end to end. Also, the course will focus on the present and future of AV translation on an international level, touching on the theory and practice of Video streaming platforms (e.g. Netflix) and help students build their way into the AV translation market. Co-requisite: TR13 Credits: 3
Thesis or Internship (3 credits – 6 ECTS)
This is a stand-alone course which challenges students to build upon competences acquired during the academic year, enabling them to demonstrate the wide range of theoretical and practical skills they have acquired throughout the program. Students are expected to synthesize practical and theoretical knowledge with a special focus on the topic of their dissertation. Successful completion of this module demands close cooperation between student and supervisor. Good organizational skills coupled with research and planning skills are crucial for successfully completing the dissertation. The Thesis is supervised by an appropriate member of the MAT faculty of Hellenic American University. Prerequisites: All core and elective courses. Credits: 3
Students at the Translation Program (MAT) can opt to participate in an internship for a minimum of 240 hours of supervised translation practice in the Newspaper I Kathimerini (web or printed edition) and its translation department. This seminar can be offered to students who have completed all core curriculum requirements. This internship will help students gain more insights as to the professional setting of translation and apply in practice methodologies they have learned throughout their coursework. Depending on the number of students opting for the internship there may be a selection process. To successfully pass this course, students need to complete 240 hours as interns in the newspaper and submit a portfolio of translations carried out during their tenure at the newspaper. Prerequisites: All core and elective courses. Credits: 3