Sunday 30 September 2012

Newbie Translators and Voluntary Work


Thanks to the virtual world of the Internet, more and more people are becoming aware of the freelance translating business. This statement may sound strange to the readers from the USA, Europe, and Australia, where it is commonplace to be familiar with translation (especially technical, or non-literary, translation) as a business. But, believe me, this is not the case with some other parts of the world. Take the example of Pakistan, my homeland. You would hardly find more than 200 translators (this rough estimate is the result of my observation, not the finding of a formal study), and, most of the people who you would talk to about freelance translating, translation agencies, translation tools, etc. would have absolutely no idea what you were referring to. However, through word of mouth, public knowledge of freelance industry is increasing in Pakistani, though quite slowly. But, it is also true that, in other parts of the region, such as India and China, people are fast becoming aware of translation industry and freelance translating, the result of which is the rapid emergence of translation agencies as well as in-house and freelance translators in these countries.

What is easily inferable from this situation is that competition among translators is also growing high. There are many LSPs which clearly mention certain years of experience in the criteria they set for the selection of translators and interpreters. Although, this is not the case with all LSPs, but it also goes without saying that most of them would prefer translators who hold some experience in the field to those who have no such experience. This makes it hard for a newbie translator to grab a job. What to do? My simple suggestion is that, instead of only looking for paid translation work, novice translators should also be ready to work as a voluntary translator. There are a number of non-profit organisations which constantly need help from voluntary translators. Working for them, you would not only gain experience in the field, but also work for the betterment of humanity.

Although, a simple search on a search engine would come up with many such opportunities (you may search through some organizations whose website links and pages appears on the search engine to see which one suits you the best to render your voluntary translation services to), but I would advise you to check each with caution, and sign up only for reliable organisations. The one that I would recommend you with confidence is Translators without Borders. The following is their mission statement:

Access to information is critical.
Language barriers cost lives.
Aid groups working in crisis-situations face a mission-critical challenge in
disseminating knowledge in the language of those that who need it.
Translators without Borders facilitates the transfer of knowledge from one
language to another by creating and managing a community of NGOs who need
translations and professional, vetted translators who volunteer their time to help.
Through the sophisticated Translators without Borders platform, important aid
groups easily connect directly with professional translators, breaking down the
barriers of language and building up the transfer of information
to those who need it, one brick at a time.

Their application form for registering as a voluntary translator can be accessed here http://translatorswithoutborders.org/How-to-Register

A great feature of TWB is that they provide FREE training to potential translators as well. This training is provided in languages for which availability of translators is a rarity.  So far, they provide training in the languages spoken in Kenya. Here is what they say about it:

Trainees must have a very good command of English and excellent command of Kiswahili and/or the native language (any of the 42 languages spoken in Kenya). Good candidates would be Kiswahili graduates, health librarians, community health workers, peer educators, hospital interpreters, and so forth. Trainees must be available to attend the initial training in our center for around 1 week and must be able to spend at least 4 hours per week to do their homework after the initial training.

If anyone of you falls under the criteria set by them, you can access the application form here http://translatorswithoutborders.org/Training-Center-Application

In the following, I am sharing another link to an informative discussion on ProZ on the subject under consideration.

Working as a translator volunteer would give a novice translator good hands-on experience, and would also increase their ‘visibility’ in translation community.

Do you have any other voluntary work suggestion for a newbie? Please share it with others in the comments box below.

Good luck!

P.S. I have come across a good online source of information for newbie translators, which I would like to share with you.


Wednesday 26 September 2012

An Outcry for Lack of Funding for Translation Courses



Through this post, I would like to share my deep concern over lack of funding for translation students in the UK (and around the world). It is a pity that Translation Studies has not yet been recognized as a proper area of study by numerous universities, the result of which is lack of translation courses on offer at universities. 
It must be noted that translation is a highly impacting practice – one that caused, or helped in causing, the rise of some of the most known empires in the history of humankind, i.e. Roman, Muslim, and British empires. Translation helps bridge the communication and cultural gap between nations, thus bringing them closer to each other. And, a translator does not just transfer material from one language to another. Rather than this, he/she acts as a ‘cultural mediator,’ mediating between source language and target language cultural patterns, and applying in his/her translations those techniques which would suit both the cultures involved. As such, a translator leads to the much-needed intercultural understanding – an understanding that is direly needed in our times, when religious and cultural divides are fast becoming the major reason for wars. 
Unfortunately, such an important area of knowledge is largely ignored in the academic spheres. What is more aggravating is that, the institutes which do offer courses in translation normally do not offer funding specifically geared towards supporting translation students. Students of translation have to compete for ‘general category’ scholarships, by which I mean scholarships reserved for a whole faculty, or for all faculties within an institute. This, obviously, profoundly lowers the chances for translation students to achieve funding. There are, however, a few universities and funding bodies which now have paid some attention to this intriguing area of study, offering direct funding for translation courses. But there are very few such funding opportunities (which I plan to enlist in my next post).
There, however, is one BIG problem. All the scholarship opportunities in translation are open to UK/EU students only, whereas foreign students, unfortunately, do not have ‘this privilege’ yet -- which is highly discouraging. 
I strongly feel that there must be translation scholarships for foreign students, who bear far more expenses for their study than the local students do, so that they could be able to conduct cutting-edge research on translation, in renowned foreign universities, with reference to a variety of languages and dialects, thus enriching the literature on translation with diversified findings and novel ideas.  
If you agree, please leave your comments in the comments box below. It would be great if you share your own thoughts and experiences in this regard. It would be especially helpful to others if you could come up with viable suggestions to address this issue.
Thank you!

P.S. I just had a conversation on Facebook with a gentleman who objected to the subject of the post, arguing that, if funding was not available, then students should self-support themselves by doing job. Though I agree with the point, but my post is a reaction to a specific observation, which I consider necessary to point out before other readers misunderstand the purpose of the post. Well, I have noted that the subject of Translation Studies is not given as much importance as is accorded to many other subjects, and, through this post, I intend to emphasize the point that Translation Studies, being as much valuable an area of study as others, such as literature, history, etc., are, should be treated equally, which definitely would include provision of equal number of scholarships. Let me, however, emphasise the point that I do not want to say that no one should do translation courses without first achieving a scholarship. No, this is not at all what I would advise a prospective student to do. I strongly believe that a prospective student should always be ready to support their studies, no matter how much struggle they would have to put forth to achieve their educational goals. Take my example. Last year, I was offered a place as PhD Translation Studies student by University of Leeds, UK, and please keep in mind that a foreign student has to pay course fee which is at least two times more than what a native student pays. In addition to it, they need to bear living expenses, too. With the ever-increasing inflation, it is becoming tougher and tougher for a foreign student to bear the huge amount of expenses that their studying and staying abroad would cause. In order to cope with these difficulties, I looked for a translation scholarship, but could not find one. I got my admission deferred to 2012, during which time I started freelance translating as a part-time profession, and worked day and night to gather enough monetary resources to support my studies and my family in the UK. This is what many students would already have been doing, and perhaps better than me, but I am sure that everyone would agree upon the point that a funded student, especially a funded research student, can work with full peace of mind as compared to the student who has to worry about many things other than studies. Additionally, when other departments get specific funding for their students, Translation Studies departments should also be allotted the same share in their host institutes.


Monday 24 September 2012

TRANSLATION-RELATED DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES IN UK-BASED UNIVERSITIES



This third post is a continuation of my project of enlisting translation-related courses across the globe. In this post, I will talk about the importance of distance-learning, and will mention the distance-learning translation courses found at UK-based universities as of 2012-2013. Before proceeding to the list, however, I would like to talk a bit about the importance of such courses (the need for this rationale is triggered by the commonly-observed lack of interest and attention towards distance learning).
 
 1. Importance for UK-based Students:

Distance learning courses are especially suitable for working people, housewives, and the disable. These courses are flexible, allowing students to easily manage their study-hours, keeping in view their convenience and time-availability. Although these courses cannot provide the benefits that on-site learning (such as participation in group discussions, direct contact with tutors, and participation in seminars) offers, the salience of these courses becomes highly visible for people who are unable to do regular study. For such people, distance learning courses are nothing short of a lucky thing.

2. Importance for International Students:

This point relates specifically to the current situation of fees at the UK universities. As you might already know, the postgraduate fee charged by the UK universities from Home/EU students, with regard to courses in Humanities (including Translation Studies), ranges from 5000 (for instance, in the University of Westminster and the University of Manchester) to 7000 GBP per annum. On the other hand, the fee for international students (i.e. non UK/EU students) ranges from 10000 to 13000 GBP per annum. Let us now compare it with the fee charged for distance learning Humanities courses. The distance learning Humanities programmes normally charge between 5000 to 6000 GBP per annum. As such, they are good for those who are unable to pay the regular fee, and for whom the reduced distance learning fees come in quite handy in enabling them to carry out their studies. This is especially true for international students (I will especially recommend you to check out the cost-effective distance learning MA in Translation Studies offered at the University of Portsmouth, which costs only 1,500 for UK/EU students, and 3,500 for international students, and which you can confirm by following this link
http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/coursetypes/postgraduate/MATranslationStudiesDistanceLearning/feesandfunding/tuitionfees201213/)). An international student, when having no financial support, has to not only pay the huge sum in terms of course fee but also bear expenses of accommodation, food, etc. For such people, distance learning is a blessing and a golden opportunity to receive quality education as well as degree from an esteemed foreign university. They do not have to quit their jobs, and they can easily, while based in their home-countries, gain certificates, diplomas and degrees from a foreign university of their choice. Those international prospective students who are not familiar with the distance-learning programmes in connection with their areas of study are likely to eventually give up the hope to receive quality education from an esteemed foreign university. I, thus, urge the people based outside of the UK – who cannot bear huge expenses incurred while studying on a regular course – to check out the distance learning translation courses offered at the UK universities, and get enrolled if they find a course commensurate with their area of interest and future educational and professional aims.

In my search for distance learning courses on translation and interpreting, I was disappointed to find out that there was a serious dearth of translation courses when it came to the distance learning mode of education. I could locate only four translation courses. According to my findings:

·         No BA Honours course in translation is on offer at the UK universities.
·         Three courses are available at MA level.
·         Only one PhD course is on offer.

The detail is as under.

Note: All the links below are clickable.

PhD Courses:

Aston University: Research Languages (French, German, Spanish) and Translation Studies (by distance learning): http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-programmes/lss/mphil-phd-in-languages-and-translation-studies-by-distance-learning/

Masters Courses:

University of Birmingham: MA in Translation Studies (Distance Learning): http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/courses/postgraduate/distance/english/translation-studies.aspx

University of Bristol: MA/Diploma Translation: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sml/courses/postgraduate/ma-translation.html

University of Portsmouth: MA Translation Studies (Distance Learning): http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/coursetypes/postgraduate/MATranslationStudiesDistanceLearning/

It would be beneficial for others if you leave your comments and feedback in the comment box below.

Good luck!


Monday 17 September 2012

TRANSLATION-RELATED COURSES IN UK-BASED UNIVERSITIES (H-Z)



This is the second part of the list of translation courses offered at UK-based universities. I hope that you would like this effort, and find it useful.

Note: All the links below are clickable.

Heriot-Watt University:

Taught Courses:              

·         Arabic-English Translating And Conference Interpreting MSc/Diploma/Certificate: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/294/
·         Arabic-English Translation And Computer-Assisted Translation Tools MSc/Diploma/Certificate: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/297/
·         Chinese-English Translating And Conference Interpreting MSc/Diploma/Certificate: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/295/
·         Chinese-English Translation And Computer-Assisted Translation Tools MSc/Diploma/Certificate: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/298/
·         Translating And Conference Interpreting MSc/Diploma/Certificate: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/197/
·         Translation And Computer-Assisted Translation Tools MSc/Diploma/Certificate: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/296/

Research Degrees:

·         PhD Translation And Interpreting: http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/courses/view/351/

University of Hull:


Imperial College, London:

·         MSc in Scientific, Technical & Medical Translation with Translation Technology: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/humanities/translationgroup/mscintranslation
·         PhD in Translation Studies: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/humanities/translationgroup/phdstudy
·         Translation Technology: Imperial College e-course on Localisation: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/cpd/courses/subject/other/localisation

Kingston University:


University of Leeds:

Taught Courses:              

·         MA Applied Translation Studies: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/applied_translation_studies.htm
·         MA Conference Interpreting and Translation Studies: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/interpreting_translation_studies.htm
·         MA Translation Studies and Interpreting: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/translation_studies_interpreting.htm
·         MA Audiovisual Translation Studies: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/screen_translation_studies.htm
·         MA Interpreting: British Sign Language – English: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/interpreting_british_sign_language.htm
·         PG Diploma Conference Interpreting: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/pgdip_conference_interpreting.htm
·         PG Diploma Applied Translation Studies: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/courses/pgdip_applied_translation_studies.htm

Research Degrees:

·         PhD Translation Studies: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cts/en/research_postgraduate.htm

University of Leicester:


School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London:

MA Theory and Practice of Translation (Asian and African Languages): http://www.soas.ac.uk/linguistics/programmes/mathepratrans/

University College London:

·         MA in Translation Theory and Practice: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/translation-studies/prospective-students
·         MPhil, PhD in Translation Studies: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/translation-studies/research-students

London Metropolitan University:

Undergraduate Courses:


Postgraduate Courses:

·         MA Public Service Interpreting (Health and Legal): http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/public-service-interpreting.cfm
·         MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/tesol-and-applied-linguistics.cfm
·         PG Diploma in Interpreting (Health): http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/interpreting-health-dip.cfm
·         PG Diploma in Interpreting (Legal): http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/interpreting-legal-dip.cfm
·         PG Certificate in Specialised Translation: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/specialised-translation.cfm
·         PG Certificate in Translation and Technology: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/translation-and-technology.cfm

University of Manchester:

Postgraduate Taught:

·         MA Conference Interpreting: http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/tis/postgraduatetaught/taught/course/?code=08505

·         MA Translation and Interpreting Studies: http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/tis/postgraduatetaught/taught/course/?code=07006

 

Postgraduate Research:

·         MPhil, PhD Translation and Intercultural Studies: http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/tis/postgraduateresearch/

Middlesex University:

Undergraduate Courses:

·         Certificate Public Service Interpreting (DPSI Preparation): http://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/language_translation_studies/public_service_interpreting_cert.aspx

Postgraduate Courses:


University of Newcastle:

·         MA Translating and Interpreting: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/subjects/translation/courses/82
·         MA Professional Translation for European Languages: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/subjects/translation/courses/436
·         MLitt Translating and Interpreting: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/translation/courses/638
·         MPhil, PhD Translating and Interpreting: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/translation/courses/546

University of Portsmouth:

·         MA Translation Studies (Distance Learning): http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/coursetypes/postgraduate/MATranslationStudiesDistanceLearning/
·         MA Translation and Technical Communication: http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/coursetypes/postgraduate/MATranslationAndTechnicalCommunication/

Queen’s University Belfast:

·         MPhil, PhD Translation or Interpreting: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofModernLanguages/Postgraduates/PhD/

University of Roehampton:


University of Salford:

Taught Courses:


Research Courses:

·         Research in Translation and Interpreting: http://www.languages.salford.ac.uk/research/

The University of Sheffield:

·         MA in Translation Studies: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mltc/courses/pg/translation
·         MA in Screen Translation: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mltc/courses/pg/subtitling

University of Stirling:


University of Surrey:

·         BA (Hons) French and Translation; BA (Hons) German and Translation; BA (Hons) Spanish and Translation: www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/languages/index.htm
·         MA Translation Studies: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/translationstudies/
·         MA Audiovisual Translation: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/audiovisualtranslation/
·         MA Business Interpreting in Chinese and English: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/businessinterpreting/
·         MA Business Translation with Interpreting: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/businesstranslation/
·         MA Monolingual Subtitling and Audio Description: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/monolingualsubtitling/
·         MA Public Service Interpreting: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/publicservice/
·         MA Translation Studies with Intercultural Communication: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/transcommunication/
·         PhD in Languages and Translation Studies: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/languages/index.htm

University of Swansea:

·         M.Phil and PhD research degrees: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/graduate-centre/research-degrees/

University of Ulster:

·         MA Professional Translation: http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=10156
·         BA (Hons) Applied Languages and Translation: http://www.arts.ulster.ac.uk/Applied%20Languages_more_info.php

University of Warwick:

·         MA Translation and Transcultural Studies: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/english/prospectivestudents/postgraduate/masters/tts
·         MA Translation, Writing and Cultural Difference: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/french/current/pg/courses/matwcd/

University of Westminster:

Undergraduate Courses:

Full-time


Part-time


Postgraduate Courses:

Full-time

·         Bilingual Translation MA
·         Interpreting MA
·         Translation and Interpreting MA
·         Translation and Linguistics MA

Part-time

·         Bilingual Translation MA
·         Interpreting MA
·         Translation and Interpreting MA
·         Translation and Linguistics MA

Professional Courses:


 P.S. Please leave your comments, and let me know if I have missed something.

Good luck!