MA Audiovisual Translation and Localisation

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme, students will be able to:
1. The student will know the theory of translation and audiovisual translation processes and products
2. The student will understand the details of the semiotics of multimodal texts and its implications for translators
3. The student will compete for posts in specialised translation, audiovisual translation, media accessibility, localisation, revision, quality assurance, and project management
4. The student will apply technical, technological, and linguistic translation and localisation strategies to translate real-life materials from written texts only to films, video games, documentaries, and other non-fictional products
5. The student will apply specialist translation and localisation solutions in regard to different audiences with different needs and/or expectations
6. The student apply advanced skills in specialised translation in different domains
7. The student will produce professional subtitling files of real-life audiovisual materials using specialized professional software
8. The student will produce professional audio description files for the blind and the partially sighted and monolingual professional subtitles for the Deaf and the hard-of-hearing
9. The student will understand the specific requirements and hands-on technical, technological, and editorial experience of interlingual subtitling, subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing, and audio description for the blind, localisation, specialised translation, and project management
10. The student will translate and manage translation workflows using computer-assisted translation technologies
11. The student will work on simulated translation and localisation projects in collaboration with other practitioners and/as project managers
12. The student will conduct research in audiovisual translation for doctoral training or private sector company
Skills Learning Outcomes
On completion of their programme, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
1. Academic: reflect and critically think to understand the nature of a product prior to translation; know core audiovisual translation literature; manage time and resources; conduct research to find solutions to problems arising.
2. Digital: proficiently use software to produce subtitles, voice over, audiodescription files in compliance with brief and client specifications; solve problems when facing technical challenges; collaborate with project manager and colleagues
3. Work-Ready: use software and understand workflows; manage and plan translation and localisation projects; solve problems creatively; have commercial awareness and decision making.
4. Technical: understand AVT modes; use professional software for the production and revision of subtitles, voice-over, audio description, and specialised translation files in different domains; apply professional strategies; know guidelines
5. Sustainability: collaborate with other stakeholders, identify potential challenges related to the consequences of a particular translation by applying ethical skills, take localisation or project management decisions and communicate them effectively to peers and clients
6. Enterprise: make decisions in ambiguous work-related situations, develop self-image and resources (website, marketing and professional documentation), meet the client’s needs, reflect on how to improve and find new business opportunities

Assessment

Translation, audiovisual translation and localisation practical assignments, on-going individual practice with audiovisual translation, localisation and computer-assisted translation software, commentaries, essays, a final project involving translation, subtitling or dissertation and a series of team projects in which students will be given the opportunity to assume different roles throughout the year (translator, project manager, localiser, reviser, etc). and learn professional skills regarding email communication (with client and revisers), quoting, invoicing and planning and time management. As such both independent and teamwork are included.