Translation Studies Research and Study Opportunities

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Translation Is a Mission to Connect Cultures

If you have excellent writing skills in your native language, as well as excellent reading and comprehension skills in other languages, then a translator's career might be of interest to you. An important aspect to consider is that writing and comprehension skills are not enough. There is a big cultural component: the translator's work. The Translation is a mission: a task to connect cultures, discover new worlds for readers, and take them to new horizons. The translator passes the spirit of the text and the impact that it is supposed to have on the reader. If you are to translate a joke, you have no way out to make the reader laugh.

The best way to get acquainted with a foreign language is to spend some time in the source country and get to know people, traditions, food, humor, literature, and the rest closer. And yes, read, read, read a lot!

Not all the best translators have a degree in Translation, though a degree-level education is always an asset. Many of them have a background in writing, literature, etc. But what is undoubted, all of them work a lot to develop skills. And this is possible to achieve through training and certifications, internships and volunteering in the source country.

The Translation is an excellent option for those who want to make their own schedule and benefit from a freelancing career. This, certainly, requires another set of skills: self-organization and time management. But it is an exciting opportunity to plan your life and career.

What do Translators Studies students learn?

For acquiring translation-relevant skills and constructing a career like a translator, students should either apply directly to Translation studies faculties, or tor elated ones such as Interpretation, Languages, Linguistics, Cultural studies, etc. Also, to become a translator who has a deep cultural understanding of the language they are specialized in, there are good options to study certain directions like Slavic studies, Jewish studies, Asian studies, African studies, etc. All those programs are focused on teaching the language of the region with comprehensive guidance into the cultural, lifestyle, and traditional aspects of the nations. 

There are the following main types of translations that Translation studies program participants might focus on.

  • Technical Translation usually refers to the very narrow areas of specialization such as IT, engineering, mechanics, electronics, etc. Technical translators focus on terminology and the particular speech style of the field, both verbal and written. Often, technical Translation includes scientific Translation as its sub-group, which gives skills to transfer scientific materials like theses, books, reports, etc. 
  • Literary Translation refers to the cases when translators should focus on preserving the speaking tone, emotions, mood, and other components of the live speech or original written document. Usually, the task of the translator is to transfer the general idea of the material, which is not so for Literary Translation. 
  • Certified translators are the specialists you refer to when you need legally authorized documents, such as marital agreements, wills, civil status documentation, etc. Those specialists are responsible for translating the information accurately and their Translation's legal validity. 
  • Synchron translation is usually considered the last and the most difficult stage of proficiency for translators. They translate the speech they hear at the live regime, therefore, have no time to overthink or edit their Translation. For this level, translators need to have great skills in both languages they translate and strong attention and analytics skills. 

Translation Studies Research Opportunities

The Translation is a vital component of linking intercultural skills, knowledge, achievements and bringing the development of one language-speaking group to another. Therefore, Translation studies research opportunities develop into two main directions: studying Translation as a separate phenomenon (the technical components) and Translation's role in the particular sphere of life. The below listing of some of the popular translation research directions will give you better insight into that. 

There are classical directions of studies in Translation such as Gentre Translation (Drama, Poetry, Prose, etc.), Multimedia translation (translating audiovisual content), Translational History, Translation ethics & terminology, etc. All those directions of research have the mission to improve and enhance the existing theory of Translation and prepare translators to provide better-translating services. 

Technologies in interpretation and translating are met in many educational institutions and focuses on how the recent advancements in technology affected the traditional Translation, as they did a lot. There are machine translation, distance interpretation, Translation using digital platforms, etc., which were unfamiliar to the translators of the past but inevitably change the translation's activities of today.

There are also research directions that focus on how Translation of theories from different language groups can benefit society in certain fields. In this regard, there are research directions such as Translation processes in the commercial network, Translation in the context of migration, etc. 

ARMACAD Has Done Your Job!

ARMACAD is a super convenient tool for those who do not want to waste time and are interested in finding many interesting translation studies opportunities. Our databases are specifically designed for those who want to:

  • pursue degree studies or get a certificate,
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  • participate in contests and get awards,
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Go ahead and check everything ARMACAD offers for prospective and professional translators.