TR6052 - The Translator and Specialisation (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | The Translator and Specialisation | ||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||
| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
In this module, you will explore two primary domains encompassing specialist areas within the language services industry: technical/applied domains and literary/multimedia domains. Within these overarching domains, you will meet professional translators working in specialisations such as medical and legal translation, subtitling and video game localisation, and literary translation, who will introduce you to their areas of expertise and provide opportunities for you to explore potential areas of specialisation.
Building on discussions of text types and functional approaches from modules at levels 4 and 5, you will undertake independent research and complete group activities to analyse the common characteristics of texts from these specialist domains. In doing so, you will gain familiarity with the relevant terminology, stylistic features, text structures and the possible constraints relevant to each specialised field, as well as use the research skills you have developed across the course to identify relevant and appropriate resources for specialised translation. You will then use these skills and resources to practice translating texts from each specialisation, using the knowledge acquired to make informed choices.
This module aims to:
• Investigate different areas of specialisation within the language services industry and identify common features, translation issues, and professional resources specific to each.
• Develop deeper awareness of areas of specialisation within the industry and apply this knowledge to make informed decisions when translating relevant texts.
• Reflect on your personal knowledge and taste to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different specialisations in line with your own interests and personal development plans.
Prior learning requirements
TR5052
Syllabus
Throughout the course of the module, you will be introduced to a wide range of specialist translation domains (e.g. audiovisual, medical, and legal). For each domain, you will focus on strategic text analysis to identify key terminology, structures, and stylistic features (LO1), evaluate translation challenges related to text type, medium, and terminology (LO2 & LO3), and apply suitable procedures and resources to address them (LO4).
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module is delivered through a combination of lectures (3 hours) and independent study weeks in which a blended/flipped classroom model will be implemented. Independent study weeks will be supported by the use of Weblearn and other digital resources, with students tasked to undertake independent research and complete tasks relating to each specialised field before exploring in greater depth with the specialised translators during class. Lectures introducing the specialist areas, source-text analysis seminars, and text-based exercises anticipating translation problems will then be used to support your independent study and cement content covered individually. Some sessions are run by translation practitioners who are experts in the relevant domain, whilst others are delivered by internal members of staff with expertise in the relevant field.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
1. Systematically identify and consolidate your knowledge of the characteristic terminology, structure and stylistic features of texts from different fields of specialised knowledge.
2. Determine what constraints need to be considered in the translation of specialised texts.
3. Foster the necessary confidence to apply appropriate strategies to solve translation problems specific to specialised texts.
4. Critically evaluate appropriate translation resources which can support informed decision-making in the translation of specialised texts.