University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > Chinese-English Audiovisual Translation (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1MODL011T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Carol O'Sullivan
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | School of Modern Languages |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of translation, particularly audiovisual translation, from Mandarin Chinese into English and from English into Mandarin Chinese.
The principal aim is to equip students with the skills and knowledge to proceed to work as a professional
audiovisual translator in a rapidly changing industry in which audiovisual material, including video content and games,makes up an increasingly important sector of the market.
A key ancillary aim is immersion in an English-language culture; interaction with English-speaking students and staff will contribute considerably to student academic development and give them multicultural competence which will enhance their professional skills. The programme combines very practice-oriented content with a high level of theoretical awareness.
The taught element of the programme includes both generic (non-language specific) and language-specific units. The former are designed to acquaint students with contemporary theories of translation and audiovisual translation, and encourage reflection on the application of these to translation practice. The programme introduces them to the practicalities of professional translation. Students have the option of taking specific units on subtitling, videogame localisation and international film and media distribution. Students on this programme will become skilled in using and evaluating digital tools and resources, and in particular computer-aided translation, which is a compulsory element of the curriculum. Students will gain detailed insight into the requirements for and organisation of work in the translation industry.
Language-specific units will increase students’ general bidirectional competence as translators between Chinese and English. The programme inculcates increasingly sophisticated strategies for the evaluation and production of contextually and functionally appropriate translation of a range of source texts, and offers the opportunity to develop a translation specialism or specialisms in selected domains.
The compulsory Computer-Assisted Translation unit will ensure that all programme graduates are competent in the use of key IT tools for translators. This unit evolves with advances in technology, so now includes the use of Machine Translation tools embedded in CAT tools as standard. It is likely in the future that such tools will also begin to be used in subtitling and we regularly review the software used to ensure it is providing an appropriate professional preparation for students.
The dissertation represents the culmination of the student’s study, and can take the form of a practical translation project with critical commentary, using an audiovisual text, or a more traditional research project, again on a topic relating to audiovisual translation.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Methods of Assessment | |
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Methods of Assessment | |
As above: this is an integrated programme, in which all methods of assessment are designed to work collectively to develop a range of intellectual skills. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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The delivery of the programme requires and develops a wide range of transferable skills, often mirroring the working environment of the professional translator (in terms of time-management, etc.). IT literacy is a fundamental prerequisite; networking and engagement in peer discussion are central to the learning and assessment process. The structure of translation assignments necessitates independent research and reflective analysis on work produced and edited to specified standards within limited time periods. The dissertation develops advanced research, writing and time-management skills. |
Methods of Assessment | |
As above: this is an integrated programme, in which all methods of assessment are designed to work collectively to develop a range of intellectual skills. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students will become familiar with the main theoretical approaches to translation, including audiovisual translation. They will become adept at conceptualizing the process of translation, and develop a sound framework for practical evaluation of their own and others’ translation practice. They will undertake practical translation in a range of media from Mandarin into English, working with a broad range of text-types. Computer-Assisted Translation tools will be integrated from the beginning of the programme. Students will develop a sensitive appreciation of contextually and functionally appropriate translation, and will be required to draw on their theoretical insights in articulating their reflections on the strategies adopted in each piece of translation they undertake. They will engage in peer discussion to test and edit their own translations and refine their understanding of the processes involved. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students will continue to deepen their theoretical and analytical knowledge and extend their practical translation skills, undertaking options that stimulate further discussion and annotated translation of advanced and/or specialised texts in a range of audiovisual translation modes. They will improve their understanding of translation industry norms and standards and apply these to their chosen optional units which will be in a variety of specialised and semi-specialised areas. Their ability to work as consciously reflective practitioners of translation will be further developed through commentary and group discussion. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The dissertation acts as the culmination of the student’s progress through the degree programme. Students will deploy and develop the skills and understanding acquired so far in one of two ways: they may opt either to produce to professional standards an extended piece (or pieces) of audiovisual translation (annotated with reference to the theoretical and practical contexts they will have studied at the other levels), or to write a research dissertation on a topic relevant to the field of audiovisual translation. The former will be of direct relevance to those seeking work as professional translators: either may serve as a useful basis for further postgraduate research. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Valeria Fulop-Pochon - Programme Administrator
Telephone 0117 3317964
Email: vf15404@bristol.ac.uk
This programme can be taken on a part time basis if required.
The unit pass mark for the MA in Chinese-English Audiovisual Translation is 50.
The programme pass mark is 50.
Students require 60 credits at the end of TB1 to progress to the next stage of the programme.
Students require 120 credits at the end of TB2 to progress to the dissertation stage.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Theories of Translation | MODLM0005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Applied Translation (Mandarin) | MODLM0007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Dissertation | MODLM0012 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Concepts in Audiovisual Translation | MODLM0042 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Computer-Assisted Translation | MODLM0048 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
The Translation Industry | MODLM2017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1,TB-2 |
Students must select 60cp's from the list below: | ||||
Introduction to Specialised Translation (Mandarin) | MODLM0008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Translation for Subtitling | MODLM0009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Game Localization | MODLM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Translation and International Film Distribution | MODLM0040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
This unit is only available in TB-2 on this programme | ||||
Supervised Individual Study | MODLM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
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The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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