University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > Chinese-English Translation (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1MODL008T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Paul Golf
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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 section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of translation, principally from Mandarin Chinese into English but also from English to Mandarin-Chinese. A key aim is immersion in an English-language culture and interaction with English-speaking students and staff will contribute considerably to student academic development.
The principal aim is to equip students with the skills and knowledge to proceed to work as a professional translator, this knowledge including a high level of theoretical awareness, which has the pragmatic advantage that theoretically informed professional translation work 'and a sound grounding in translation ethics enhances the quality of outputs and is therefore highly regarded in the job market. The dissertation, with the input of staff with research interests and experience in the area of translation studies, will also prepare students to undertake a research degree in translation studies.
The taught element of the programme includes both generic (non-language specific) and language-specific material. The former is designed to acquaint students with contemporary theories of translation and encourage reflection on the application of these to translation practice, and to introduce them to the practicalities of professional translation: they will become skilled in using and evaluating electronic resources, and computer-aided translation in particular, and gain detailed insight into the requirements for and organisation of work in the translation industry. Language-specific units based on Mandarin Chinese will increase students’ general competence as translators (predominantly but not exclusively into English), inculcate increasingly sophisticated strategies for the evaluation and production of contextually and functionally appropriate translation of a range of source texts, and offer the opportunity to develop a translation specialism or specialisms in selected domains.
The dissertation will provide opportunities to pursue a more practice-based route, training students to produce a substantial piece (or pieces) of annotated translation to a professional standard, and a more research-based route, demanding a theoretical analysis of existing translation(s) or empirical research of various kinds, e.g. into the translation industry. Both will provide the grounding for further postgraduate work in different ways.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
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/teaching methods and strategies |
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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 (formative and summative) | |
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. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
N/A |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
N/A |
Level H/6 - Honours |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Masters |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students will become familiar with the main theoretical approaches to 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 from Mandarin into English, working with a broad range of text-types including specialised (technical) texts. They 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. |
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, focused on the categories of text-types offered by the Institute of Linguists. Their ability to work as consciously reflective practitioners of translation may be further developed at this stage through introduction to the possibilities and limitations of computer-aided translation, subtitling translations of film, in which they will acquire first-hand expertise, and of which they will conduct an evaluative assessment, or the translation industry. |
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 original translation (annotated with reference to the theoretical and practical contexts they will have studied at the other levels), or to write a dissertation analysing within an appropriate theoretical framework an already existing translation or translations. 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. |
Level D/8 - Doctoral |
N/A |
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.
Tuition on this programme will be provided by a combination of academic staff, including colleagues researching in the area of translation studies, and professional translators.
After discussion with the Graduate School, the Critical Friend, and expert colleagues in SML, and taking into account competitors’ standards, the English-language entry requirement (IELTS) for this MA will be set slightly higher than the University’s standard minimum (which is 6.5, all sections): the entry requirement will be 7 with no individual score below 6.5, and preference will be given to applicants who achieve scores of 7 or higher across the board. This allows the University to maximize its target market (setting the bar too high reduces the potential to recruit from China itself, as opposed to Taiwan or Hong Kong) whilst foregrounding the advanced nature of the programme. This will be reviewed annually.
Kate Withers
telephone 0117 3318452
e-mail kate.withers@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 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.
A merit may be awarded to a student who obtains an average of 60% for stages 1 and 2, and 60% for the dissertation.
A distinction may be awarded to a student who obtains an average of 65% for stages 1 and 2, and 70% for the dissertation.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation | MODLM0012 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Translation Practice and Analysis I: Chinese | MODLM0053 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Theories of Translation | MODLM0005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Translation Practice and Analysis II: Chinese | MODLM0054 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Computer-Assisted Translation | MODLM0048 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Liaison Interpreting | MODLM0027 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
This unit is non credit-bearing on this programme | ||||
Select 40cp from: | ||||
Translation for Subtitling | MODLM0009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Translation Industry | MODLM2017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Liaison Interpreting for Business | MODLM0026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Game Localization | MODLM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Translation and International Film Distribution | MODLM0040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students may take the following 20cp unit in place of 20cp of optional units from the list. This unit is available in TB-2 for this programme, however it may be possible to take this unit in TB-1 with the agreement of the programme director: | ||||
Supervised Individual Study | MODLM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Chinese-English Translation (MA) | 180 |
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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Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000