Modules

The module centres on the study, translation and post-editing of written texts, as well as the practice of interpreting.

Texts for translation will be linguistically demanding, illustrating different genres, styles and registers, and will cover varied subject matter, including current affairs, advertising, and contemporary literature. With a view to developing your employability profile, you will be introduced to current practices in professional translation, such as revision, post-editing and the use of appropriate Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and of artificial intelligence. You will also study methods and principles of translation and related terminology to be able to reflect critically on translation processes.

Additionally, the module will focus on interpreting as a vocational skill. You will explore different methods of interpreting and will practise applying these in simulated professional contexts, for example business meetings and public sector environments. In so doing, you will develop an awareness of the specialised language and register appropriate to each.

The module begins with an overview of the business world in the relevant target language. You then focus on analysing and developing the specialised language and register required in a variety of business contexts. For example, in the fields of marketing and advertising, and when writing formal correspondence and attending business meetings. You will work with authentic and simulated materials to undertake a business negotiation in target language and produce a dossier that links to career progression. Employer guest speakers will contribute to cross-module sessions delivered in English.

This module allows you the space to explore an area of language, culture or professional practice in greater depth, giving you the opportunity to steer your degree in a direction of your choosing. With your tutor's support, your guided project can be designed to suit your individual goals. This is an opportunity for you to find out more about a possible career path you may be considering or the scope of using your language in business and industry, you may wish to carry out further academic research on a topic related to languages and cultures or undertake a more practical project in the application of your language skills. Your guided project will consolidate skills and knowledge you have acquired elsewhere on the course and possible categories include: translation revision and post-editing; investigating freelance subtitling; pedagogical practice with school liaison linking theory and practice; business projects and academic research essays. The module allows you greater independence and choice in your final year and further develops transferable and employable skills.

This module will re-engage you to study more formally and put in context with all your previous experiences from placements and taught modules at level 5, by taking an analytical and in-depth study of China’s culture and society as well as everyday life in China today.  This module will offer the possibility of developing your target language skills in a practical, immersive and interactive way. The module also offers plenty of opportunities for oral practice and student input through class presentations and discussions. 

In this module you will build on the higher level language skills acquired during in person or virtual placements and apply these to a more analytical and in-depth study of French as a global language. The module offers the possibility of developing your target language skills in practical and interactive ways with opportunities for topic research, oral practice and student input through presentations and class discussions. Using a range of written and recorded materials you will investigate how historical and political events have led to the use of French in different regions of the world and what the diversity of contemporary cultural, economic and ethical conditions means for the future of French.

This module will re-engage you in studying more formally and put in context all your previous experiences whether in your placements or taught modules at level 5, by taking a more analytical and in-depth study of salient societal changes in the Spanish speaking world.  This module will also offer the possibility of developing your target language skills in a practical, immersive and interactive way. The module offers plenty of opportunities for oral practice and student input through class presentations, discussions and debates.

This module will offer you the opportunity to examine thematically some of the challenges of representing identity and giving voice to diversity in contemporary global societies. You will explore a range of literary, visual, audio and cinematic texts (all available in English translation) from across the different language cultures studied on this course. These texts will be structured around dominant themes drawn from, among others: decolonising the intellectual; ableism, hip hop and oral traditions in the 21st century; visual representations of difference; young voices in protest; identity politics in action. You will analyse and discuss cultural representations of contemporary identities and be invited to suggest and present ideas for new texts to include.