MA (Advanced Language Skills [French, German, Italian or Spanish])

College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies
School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Course overview

This Masters programme provides advanced linguistic and technical training in order to prepare linguists for careers in several areas of specialised language work in which there is a rapidly growing demand. Graduates will develop their language skills to a very high level and gain experience in the area of translation technology. Students will acquire a very high level of communication skills in their chosen language (French, German, Italian or Spanish).


The programme offers intensive training in the use of Trados Translation software and provides students with the possibility of progressing to Trados Certification at no extra cost. Optional modules provide the opportunity to concentrate on areas of particular interest.

  
 

Key facts

Entry requirements

Second Class Honours NQAI Level 8 degree or equivalent, with Second Class Honours Grade 2 or equivalent in the language to be studied.

Duration: 1 year, full-time

Next start date: September 2013

ECTS weighting: 90

Average intake: 30

Closing date:

 Please view offer rounds website



Mode of study: Taught

Course outline

  • Translation Methodology and Text: development of skills in advanced and specialised translation with an emphasis on translation software.
  • Introduction to the Skills of Consecutive Interpreting: development of skills required in consecutive interpreting: speaking in public, note taking, mnemonic retention.
  • Audiovisual Translation: interlingual subtitling (French and Italian).  Elements of analysis of film discourse and audiovisual translation.  Hands-on workshops with short subtitling projects.
  • Language and Intercultural Communication: the aim of this module is to equip students with the transferable skills necessary to work successfully in an international environment.
  • Translation Studies: this module provides a strong theoretical focus and a history and development of the field of translation studies.
  • Dissertation: a research dissertation of approximately 20,000 words on a topic to be decided in consultation with the course coordinators.


Applications and selections

Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre(PAC). Relevant PAC application code(s) above.

Who teaches this course?

  • Professor Pádraig Ó Gormaile
  • Professor Bill Richardson
  • Professor Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa
  • Professor Paolo Bartoloni
  • Dr Máire Áine Ní Mhainnín
  • Dr Laura McLoughlin
  • Ms Pilar Alderete
  • Dr Mel Boland MA
  • Mr Ruadhán Cooke MA
  • Ms Áine Ryan MA

Requirements and assessment

Assessment will include a mixture of project work, assignments, and examinations. Language proficiency will be assessed continuously throughout the year and examined in a written examination. An oral examination, generally consisting of a research presentation, will take place.

Find out more

Dr Máire Áine Ní Mhainnín | Dr Laura McLoughlin
T: +353 91 493 397 | +353 91 492 240
E: mary.mannion@nuigalway.ie | laura.mcloughlin@nuigalway.ie

PAC code

GYA65

Fees for this course

EU (Total): €6,015
 - Student levy: €224
Non-EU (Total): €13,250

Fees for courses

Download taught and research

Postgrad prospectus cover 
NUI Galway Postgraduate Taught Prospectus

Research prospectus cover

NUI Galway Postgraduate Research Prospectus 

 

Graduate profiles

Margaret O' Connor

"I found the course an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. It helped me to develop skills that are useful for the workplace with the study of translation technologies such as Trados. It also offered me the opportunity to study academic disciplines that interested me, such as Translation Studies. The skills that I developed should provide a good foundation for my future career".

Tom Ryan MA Language

Tom Ryan

Graduated in 2010. Currently working as a Junior Translation Project Manager/Reviewer at Nova Language Solutions Ltd., Cork, a company specialising in translation into English in the areas of marketing, IT and gaming.

"The MA (Advanced Language Skills) offers students a great opportunity to further develop their language skills, increase their awareness of the translation field and gain new skills in the area of translation software. I really enjoyed the range of subjects on offer and the practical, translation-intensive nature of the course. Translations varied from literary to medical and always offered new challenges. Classes in interpretation and oral skills really helped to develop my confidence in my spoken French and the film subtitling module offered a unique insight into the concepts of audiovisual translation, which I found very interesting. The dissertation gave me an opportunity to work independently, researching the strategies and concepts involved in translating children’s literature all the while translating a children’s book and commenting on the approaches I took throughout. All of the theoretical and practical experience greatly benefitted me in my subsequent career as a translation project manager where I translate and review texts in the areas of IT, marketing and gaming, using a wide array of translation software.”