German Translation and Interpreting: Study guide
General Information
Perusopinnot / Basic Studies
Aineopinnot / Intermediate Studies
Syventävät opinnot / Advanced Studies
Pro Gradu -tutkielma / Master's thesis
The track of German Translation and Interpreting is, together with the track of German Philology, part of the German Department, which belongs to the School of Languages and Translation Studies within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Turku. Studies in translation and interpreting train experts in international communication requiring a high level of language, translation and interpreting skills and a profound knowledge of cultures. Moreover, the studies provide the students with a good command of the means of expression in the mother tongue, and the Master's degree equips them to conduct postgraduate studies in research fields relating to language and intercultural communication, especially to translation and interpreting.
In addition to German Translation and Interpreting as the major subject, degree students (Bachelor's degree) are required to take at least one minor subject. The choice of minor subjects is free. However, students are recommended to choose another language or a subject that offers expertise in a special field, and can thus be useful for future work as a translator or an interpreter. Furthermore, students with German Translation and Interpreting as their major subject are required to complete 15 credits of courses in Finnish.
Studies in German Translation and Interpreting form larger entities at three levels: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels. The Bachelor’s level studies usually consist of the Basic and Intermediate level studies, and Advanced studies normally correspond to the Master’s level.
Abbreviations:
C = compulsory course
O = optional course
Saksan kääntämisen ja tulkkauksen perusopinnot (25 op)
Basic Studies in German Translation and Interpreting (25 ECTS credits)
The basic studies module comprises 25 credits. During basic studies, students develop their language skills and their linguistic and cultural knowledge needed in university studies and in work. The general objectives of Basic Studies are:
- a good command of contemporary German
- a good knowledge and command of the principles of oral and written communication
- a good knowledge of the cultural backgrounds of German-speaking countries
- a good knowledge of the basics of professional translation
In addition to 25 credits in Basic Studies, degree students have to complete a course in general linguistics: "Yleisen kielitieteen perusteet" (Introduction to General Linguistics) 2 credits. This course is provided by the Department of General Linguistics. The language of tuition is Finnish.
P1. German Grammar, 6 ECTS credits, C
P2. Basic Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension, 4 ECTS credits, C
P3. Written Exercises, 5 ETCS credits, C
P4. Communication Skills, 2 ECTS credits, C
P5. Translation Exercises German-Finnish, 2 ECTS credits, C
P6. Translation Exercises Finnish-German, 3 ECTS credits, C
P7. German Speaking Countries: History, Society, Culture, 4 ECTS credits, C
P8. Introduction to Professional Translation, 2 ECTS credits, C
P9. Options, 2-6 ECTS credits, O
Literature to be agreed upon with teachers.
Saksan kääntämisen ja tulkkauksen aineopinnot 45 op / 35 op
Intermediate Studies in German Translation and Interpreting 45 ECTS credits / 35 ECTS credits (minor subject)
The Intermediate Studies module comprises 45 ECTS credits for students with German Translation and Interpreting as their major subject (35 ECTS credits as a minor subject). The aim of the Intermediate Studies is to train the students to work as independent, responsible and professional translators. Moreover, the students will be acquainted with translation theories and theoretical concepts applicable to translation, and will be introduced to the principles of scholarly work and to the literature of the field.
Translation Studies
A1. Translation German-Finnish I, 3 ECTS credits, C
A2. Translation German-Finnish II, 3 ECTS credits, C
A3. Translation for Professional Purposes German-Finnish III, 3 ECTS credits,C
A4. Translation Finnish-German I, 3 ECTS credits, C
A5. Translation Finnish-German II, 3 ECTS credits, C
A6. Translation Finnish-German III, 3 ECTS credits, C
A7. Translation for Professional Purposes Finnish-German IV, 3 ECTS credits, C
A8. Options, 2 - 6 ECTS credits
Optional translation studies, to be agreed upon with teachers.
Interpreting
A9. Basics of Interpreting, 2 ECTS credits, C
A10. Interpreting Exercises, 2 ECTS credits, C
Language and cultural studies and profession
A11. Language Technology and Translation Technology Tools, 2 ECTS credits, C
A12. Translator as an Entrepreneur, 3 ECTS credits, O
A13. Social Structures and International Relations, 3 ECTS credits, O
A14. German Culture and Literature, 6 ECTS credits, O
A15. German Grammar, 6 ECTS credits, O
A16. Language Residency Abroad, 3 ECTS credits, O
A17. Optiot: Options
Optional language and cultural studies. To be agreed upon with teachers.
Research Skills
A18. Text Analysis, 2 ECTS credits, C
A19. Translation Theories and Research, 4 ECTS credits, C
A20. Academic Writing, 2 ECTS credits, C
A21. Proseminar and BA Thesis, 10 ECTS credits, C
A22. Options
Optional studies, to be agreed upon with teachers.
Saksan kääntämisen ja tulkkauksen syventävät opinnot 80 op / 60 op
Advanced Studies in German Translation and Interpreting 80 ECTS credits / 60 ECTS credits (minor subject)
The Advanced Studies module comprises 80 ECTS credits (60 ECTS credits as a minor subject). The aim of the Advanced Studies is to deepen and expand the student's knowledge of research, methodology and theory formulation in the fields of translation, communication and linguistics.
Expertise in Translation and Interpreting
Degree students must choose at least 15 credits of the following courses:
S1. Demonstration of Professional Proficiency in Translation: German-Finnish
3 - 6 ECTS credits, 3 credits compulsory for degree students
S2. Demonstration of Professional Proficiency in Translation: Finnish-German
3 ECTS credits, C
S3. Translation Project German-Finnish, 3 ECTS credits
S4. Translation Project Finnish-German, 3-6 ECTS credits
S5. Literary Translation German-Finnish, Seminar, 3 - 6 ECTS credits
S6. Audiovisual Translation, 3-6 ECTS credits
S8. Introduction to Authorized Translation, 2 ECTS credits
S9. Authorized Translation German-Finnish, 4 ECTS credits
Interpreting
The students can specialize in interpreting by choosing up to 15 credits of the following courses:
S10. Consecutive Interpreting I, 3 ECTS credits
S11. Consecutive Interpreting II, 3 ECTS credits
S12. Simultaneous Interpreting I, 3 ECTS credits
S13. Simultaneous Interpreting II, 3 ECTS credits
S14. Conference Interpreting, 3 ECTS credits
Research Skills and Professional Proficiency
Degree students must choose at least 25 credits of the following courses.
S15. Seminar, 6 ECTS credits, C
S16. Traineeship, 3-6 ECTS credits
S18. Guest Lectures on Translation, 2 ECTS credits
S19. Old Text Translation, 2 ECTS credits
S24. Project for Planning Traineeships, 2 ECTS credits
Options
Options are optional studies which may be taken either in the form of lecture courses or by taking an exam on reading agreed upon with professor Irmeli Helin. Students will deepen their knowledge of linguistics and translation theory. The extent of an option usually varies from 2 to 6 ECTS credits. Available options include for example the following subject areas:
S22. Theories of Translation
S23. History of Translation
S24. Semantics
S25. Linguistic Stylistics
S26. Psycholinguistics
S27. Sociolinguistics
S28. Applied Linguistics
S29. Contrastive Linguistics
S30. Text Linguistics
S31. Lexicography
S32. Terminology and Terminology Work
S33. Special Field Translation
S34. Cultural History
S35. Intercultural Communication
S36. Interpreting: Theory and Research
Master's Thesis
40 ECTS credits Compulsory for degree students with German Translation and Interpreting as their major subject.
Thesis (minor subject)
20 ECTS credits Compulsory for degree students with German Translation and Interpreting as their minor subject.