Open University

Postgraduate Certificate in Translation

The learning outcomes of the programme are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this postgraduate certificate, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• Key theories, concepts, approaches and processes in translation, and the links between theory and practice
• The roles of the professional translator and the principles of professional practice, including quality assurance and ethical considerations
• The type and purpose of the text, register, attitude and tone, concepts, factual information and opinion; cultural conventions and style
• Concepts and methods to analyse and evaluate translated texts in terms of quality, accuracy and fitness for purpose
• The role and relationship of the writer with the intended readership cultures of the languages in which you translate, their conventions for communication, and the implications for localising translated texts.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this postgraduate certificate, you will be able to:

• Interpret and assess the nature and purpose of the text which is to be translated and the context and setting in which it will be used, and deploy successful strategies to translate the text
• Define and evaluate translation problems, find appropriate solutions, and justify translation choices and decisions
• Engage critically and creatively with debates relevant to the development of the translator’s professional practice.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this postgraduate certificate, you will be able to:

• Manage your own learning and plan your professional development
• Work independently and collaboratively in a range of modes to address cognitive problems and solutions
• Reflect critically and constructively, in the light of ideas and frameworks presented in the course, on your own thinking and professional practice
• Demonstrate competence in the use of information and communication technology appropriately in your professional practice
• Use communication and interpersonal skills to enable you to work in teams, make appropriate use of the capacities of colleagues, and maintain good relationships with colleagues and potential clients
• Manage your time efficiently, and organise and schedule your work to meet agreed deadlines
• Review and give feedback on the work of others, subject your work to peer review and act on the feedback you receive, and develop skills to review the quality of your own work.

Key skills

On completion of this postgraduate certificate, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Independently keep up-to-date with the languages into and out of which you translate (including the ability to acquire knowledge of domain-specific language) and with the intercultural skills to understand the cultures of the countries where these languages are spoken
• Demonstrate an understanding of the processes, stages and strategies for translating text in order to produce high-quality translations in various situations and contexts
• Demonstrate familiarity with quality assurance systems to monitor the effectiveness of your work, such as checking, revising and reviewing translations
• Critically reflect on your own practice and actively seek feedback from colleagues in order to develop your practice and manage your career.

To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits as follows:

• Introduction to translation theory and practice (L801)

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

This qualification uses a range of study materials, resources and activities to introduce you to the professional skills of a translator, to become aware of some of the tools needed to manage translation tasks, and to understand the link between translation theories and practice. You will also develop more generic skills such as communication and interpersonal skills, or managing your own learning.

You will be supported by staff on the qualification, and they will provide feedback on assignments. This qualification is formally assessed through tutor-marked assignments and an end-of-module assessment, which assesses the Learning Outcomes of the course. You will also engage in online group activities with other students.

You will work with students specialising in the same language combination as you, but will also be part of the wider cohort including students with other language combinations. This postgraduate certificate is fully online, and because of the nature of the translator’s work, you will engage in substantial amounts of self-directed study, for instance when you are working on a specific translation task.

Some of the activities and assessments on this postgraduate certificate will have reflective components which invite you to consider your own learning and development. This will feed into ongoing personal development planning. These reflective activities will run throughout the qualification. Such reflections will range from responding to tutor and peer feedback on a specific translation task to reflecting on your overall progress and development as a translator.

There is an increasing global demand for translators and language specialists, and this postgraduate certificate will introduce the knowledge and skills that are needed for a career as a translator. This is an immensely rewarding profession for those with an interest in languages and communication and encompasses a wide and growing range of areas, including audio-visual translation, advertising or website localisation, as well as semi-specialised and specialised translation.

If you wish to pursue a career as a translator, be it as an in-house or freelance translator, this qualification will introduce you to the professional skills needed and provide you with a basic understanding of the professional tools you will need in this fast-moving field. You will also acquire a raft of highly valued transferable communication and collaborative skills, such as teamwork, which are useful in a range of occupations in the communications sector.

If you already have a career in the translation field and are seeking a further qualification to develop your career or update your skills, you might also want to consider the Postgraduate Diploma or the MA in Translation.