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University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities – Minneapolis, MN

Undergraduate
Continuing Education
Graduate
Professional Studies

About the Program

Program Description

The Program in Translation and Interpreting offers educational opportunities related to professional translation and interpreting. We offer a series of courses designed for highly proficient bilinguals from the various language communities who want todevelop their knowledge and skills in translation and interpreting. Students planning to register in our courses are expected to already possess a high level of proficiency in both languages in which they plan to develop translation and/or interpreting skills. Courses are offered through the Office of Evening Classes and Summer Session to fit the schedules of working adults, and are available in the Twin Cities and in Rochester. Twin Cities classes generally meet on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. Classes in Rochester meet at the

University of Minnesota Rochester Center. Some courses are taught in English, while others are bilingual in several languages. Spanish-English sections are offered on a regular basis. However, the viability of sections in other languages is

dependent on the number of interested participants.

Overview of Course Offerings

– Health Care Terms and Concepts for Interpreters Technical vocabulary, oral discourse patterns used by health care providers in talking to patients, family members. Language of American health care interview.

– Legal Terms and Concepts for Interpreters American legal system. Technical vocabulary used in courts and other legal settings. Oral legal discourse. Presentations by specialists, discussion, exercises for review/practice.

– Introduction to Translation Theory of and supervised practice in translation. Re-expressing meaning in a second language. Translation primarily of English language texts concerning public health/safety, legal/voting rights, regulations, and procedures.

– Intermediate Translation Additional instruction and supervised practice in translation.

– Principles of Translation Key linguistic principles that help us understand how language makes meaning. Applying principles to translation.

– Introduction to Interpreting recommended; fall, spring, every year) Practical and theoretical introduction tointerpreting in health, human service, and legal settings. Emphasis on understanding the unique role of the interpreter, current models and modes ofinterpreting, ethical issues and professional standards of practice, and developingpre-interpreting skills.

– Consecutive Interpreting Practice/theory at professional level in interpreting in health, human service, legalsettings. Emphasizes professional/client dialogues. Consecutive interpreting skills, vocabulary research/storage, intercultural issues. Analyzing interpretive process. Performance assessment through audio/videotaping. Subject languages (e.g., Spanish, Russian, Somali) specified for each section.

– Topics in Translation and Interpreting Topics specified in Class Schedule.

– Interpreting in Health Care Settings Practice in interpreting simulated clinical encounters and monologues. Fluency/accuracy in consecutive/simultaneous modes. Sight translation, medical vocabulary in two languages,ethical/situational considerations in health careinterpreting. Coursework mainly in bilingual sections (English, another language).

– Interpreting in Legal Settings Principles/practice of interpreting in legal settings. Skill-building for fluency/accuracy in simultaneous/consecutive modes. Sight translation. Legal register in two languages. Ethical considerations, courtroom conduct. Observation of actual court proceedings. Coursework mainly in bilingual sections (English, another language).

– Topics in Translation and Interpreting Topics specified in Class Schedule.

– Directed Study Directed study in translation/interpretation.

Costs

Courses cost vary from $ 295.00 to $ 745.00; A “Certificate in Translation” will be obtained once a student has successfully concluded a number of these courses.

Editor notes

The Program in Translation and Interpreting of the University of Minnesota is as complete as a Translation and Interpreting course can be,offering an educational program for interpreters and translators, including a Certificate in Interpretingwith Health Care and Legal specializations. In addition, the PTI offers publications and training materials free or for purchase and can provide specialized training in areas related to cross-cultural communication.