English-language Translation

Degree programme objectives

This study programme is focused on theoretical and practical aspects of translation, primarily English-Czech, and also Czech-English. The emphasis is placed on technical (non-literary) translation. The programme develops and cultivates students' bilingual, extralinguistic, instrumental skills and translation-profession knowledge as well as strategic skills for translation. It provides students with translation theory and a broad view of translation as an important activity essential in society, as a basis for their informed expert and efficient translation decisions. Including also a considerable practice-based component, the programme prepares graduates for a number of translation specializations (including institutional translation, freelancing, subtitling, localization etc.). The programme offers only elements of interpreting, leaving a possible specialization in interpreting up to students' further development.

Study plans

English-language Translation

full-time, single-subject

Studies

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Objectives
This study programme is focused on theoretical and practical aspects of translation, primarily English-Czech, and also Czech-English. The emphasis is placed on technical (non-literary) translation. The programme develops and cultivates students' bilingual, extralinguistic, instrumental skills and translation-profession knowledge as well as strategic skills for translation. It provides students with translation theory and a broad view of translation as an important activity essential in society, as a basis for their informed expert and efficient translation decisions. Including also a considerable practice-based component, the programme prepares graduates for a number of translation specializations (including institutional translation, freelancing, subtitling, localization etc.). The programme offers only elements of interpreting, leaving a possible specialization in interpreting up to students' further development.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- have written and spoken English-language competence at the C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- have a deep knowledge of pure and applied translation theory and current translation norms
- have very good practical skills relevant for translating a wide range of text types, with a focus on non-literary translation
- work independently and conduct critical analyses of language in use and intercultural communication
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
Graduates of this degree programme should be able to work independently as translators (and interpreters) and provide comprehensive consulting services in written and oral intercultural English–Czech and Czech–English communication. Graduates will be able to find jobs as professional translators (both in-house translators and freelancers), in translation project management and in publishing houses, in both national and supra-national institutions. Apart from translation of written documents, graduates may find jobs also in subtitling and localization, as well as interpreting. They should also be able to work for a number of public institutions, including local and national government offices, the media, international organizations, and NGOs, and in the private sector, where high-level English-language skills, English-Czech translation skills, and communicative and analytical skills are required.
Practical Training
The programme includes no compulsory internship.
Goals of Theses
The minimum scope of a Master's thesis (for students enrolled in the programme in 2015 or later) is 125,000 characters (including footnotes and bibliography and excluding front pages, table of contents, and acknowledgments). Appendices, where resulting from student's own substantial analysis, can count towards the thesis by 30-50% of length, which is to be approved by the supervisor. Topics include mainly students' own research in a selected area of translation and interpreting, preferably descriptive-based research; theoretical theses developing the state-of-the art in a selected translation area considerably are also possible. Theses presenting and analyzing student's own translation work are allowed only exceptionally, upon agreement of the supervisor, to avoid possible conflicts due to subjectivity.
Access to Further Studies
Graduates may continue their studies in a doctoral degree study programme in English linguistics (with or without specialization in translation) or in Literatures in English (with disssertation topics merging literature and translation).