Translation and Interpreting
Translation and Interpreting at UTEP
The Department of Latin-US and Linguistics offers a Minor in Translation and Interpreting (Spanish-English only). This minor is designed to complement any academic major and to provide qualified students with the opportunity to acquire skills and experience in translation and interpreting. It may be taken as a minor to satisfy the BA degree requirements of the College of Liberal Arts. Students with this minor will receive instruction in the theory and practice of translation, to include text analysis, effective and systematic utilization of available resource materials, including parallel texts, and working in teams. If students opt to take interpreting classes, they will be introduced to the basic concepts of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting.
The Minor in Translation and Interpreting prepares students to go on to pursue advanced degrees in the fields. The pursuit of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in translation and interpreting has become necessary for future practitioners, researchers, and teachers to be able to compete in a rapidly growing and changing discipline. UTEP provides students with a competitive edge in comparison with other programs of its type in that it offers experience in theory and practice, including research methods, as a basis for future studies.
The Minor in Translation and Interpreting also helps students to enter the workforce after graduation: Successful completion of the minor demonstrates the development of effective bilingual writing skills, and helps students to advance in almost any career in today's globalized world.
Why Study Translation and Interpreting?
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Courses in Translation and Interpreting
TRAN 3359 Introduction to Translation (3-0)
Introduction to the basic principles of translation, with special emphasis on theory, text analysis, effective and systematic research, and team work. Spanish and English only. Prerequisites: SPAN 2302 or SPAN 2304 or department placement and ENGL 1312 or ESOL 1312. Prerequisites should have been completed within the past five years, and with a recommended minimum grade of "B."
TRAN 4380 Legal Translation (3-0)
Introduction to written genres particular to the field of law, and to the professional context of the legal translator. Exposure to specialized vocabulary, and comparative analysis of legal writing in Spanish and English. Continued focus on basic principles of translation, with special emphasis on theory and the many facets of practice, including analyzing texts, conducting effective and systematic research, and working in teams.
TRAN 4381 Translation in Business (3-0)
Consideration of the particular characteristics of business and legal texts (commercial correspondence, company policy documents, advertising copy, product-related literature, contracts, official documents, law enforcement and other legal and commercial documents. Study of specialized vocabulary and conventions governing such texts. Careful attention to the translator’s responsibility to the client. Practice in translating a wide variety of authentic materials. Students continue to focus on basic principles of translation, with special emphasis on theory, text analysis, effective and systematic research, and team work. Prerequisite: TRAN 3359 (recommended minimum grade of C) or permission of the Program Director.
TRAN 4382 Translation from the Information Media (3-0)
This course delves into materials taken from newspapers, magazines, and other media. Journalistic practices in English and Spanish language publications will be compared and contrasted. Special emphasis on the vocabulary of current events, public issues, and news reporting. Students continue to focus on basic principles of translation, with special emphasis on theory, text analysis, effective and systematic research, and team work. Prerequisite: TRAN 3359 (recommended minimum grade of C) or permission of the Program Director.
TRAN 4383 Literary Translation (3-0)
An introduction to the theory and practice of translating literature, emphasizing short fiction, the essay, and poetry. Comparative study of the role of essential rhetorical devices in Spanish and English. Students will have the opportunity to analyze reliable models (published translations) as well as to generate their own original versions of various works. Prerequisite: TRAN 3359 (recommended minimum grade of C) or permission of the Program Director.
TRAN 4384 Introduction to Interpreting (3-0)
Examination of the special nature of interpreting (translating orally) and the particular skills the interpreter must develop. Overview of the roles and responsibilities of interpreters in the judicial setting. Extensive practice in sight translation and in simultaneous as well as consecutive interpreting. Prerequisite: TRAN 3359 (recommended minimum grade of C) or permission of the Program Director.
TRAN 4389 Topics in Translation (3-0)
Examination of particular topics within translation and interpreting studies, including translation in healthcare, translation and globalization, consecutive interpreting, and other theoretical and practical topics. This course may be taken twice for credit, as topics vary. Prerequisite: TRAN 3359 (recommended minimum grade of C) or permission of the Program Director.
TRAN 4390 Senior Project in Translation (3-0)
Students will take this course during their last semester of enrollment in the Translation and Interpreting Minor. In consultation with the instructor, they will be assigned a translation project, and will submit a final report and translation which will reflect the work they have done in previous semesters. Prerequisite: At least three 4300-level TRAN courses, although completion of four is recommended, and permission of the Program Director (recommended overall average of "C" in all previous TRAN courses taken).
For information about the requirements of the Minor in Translation and Interpreting Studies, please consult the UTEP Catalog.