Bachelor of Arts Honours in Language Practice

Purpose

The competencies captured in this qualification will allow the learner to pursue careers as expert translators or interpreters. The core competencies captured in this qualification will provide the learner with a specialised understanding and practical knowledge of editing, and either translation or interpretation. Further, learners will be able to select learning areas related to computer assisted translation, Bible translation, inter-cultural communication, lexicography or literary translation.

After completion of this qualification the learners that chose translation as a specialisation will be able to

• Translate from one language into another.
• Translate various genres of commercial, technical and creative texts.
• Evaluate translation products.
• Annotate own translations.

The learner who chooses interpreting as a specialisation will be able to

• Interpret from one language to another.
• Interpret simultaneously.
• Interpret consecutively.
• Do sight interpreting.

All learners will complete a research assignment which will focus on research skills.

The qualifying learner will be capable of

• Conducting independent research using the relevant methodology and techniques in a particular area of translation or interpretation studies.
• Editing translated/interpreted texts using knowledge of the source and target language.
• Translating different types of texts from the source into the target language.

Or

• Interpreting different types of texts from the source into a target language.

Rationale

In a multi-lingual society, translation, interpreting and editing skills are important to facilitate dialogue and communication across cultural divides. Bachelor of Arts Honours: Translation Studies, NQF Level 8 meets the needs of a multitude of sectors by providing language practitioners who are specialists in translation/interpreting and editing, and who are therefore able to facilitate dialogue and communication across cultural divides.

The broader society will benefit from this qualification in that the qualification introduces opportunities for inter-disciplinary research in terms of lexicography, computer assisted translation, Bible translation, inter-cultural communication and literary translations.

The typical leaner attempting this qualification will have completed a cognate Bachelor's Degree in the Arts at NQF Level 7 with a major in a language. This qualification will allow the learner access to further learning in a Master's Degree in the same or a related field, at NQF Level 9.

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry requirement

• Bachelor of Arts at NQF Level 7.

To be awarded this qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 120 credits at NQF Level 8.

Learners are required to complete the following three compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 to the value of 50 credits

• Generic Editing, 10 credits.
• Editing, 10 credits.
• Research Assignment, 30 credits.

Learners are then to choose one of the following specialisations at NQF Level 8 to the value of 40 credits each

Interpreting Specialisation

• Interpreting, 20 credits.
• Advanced Interpreting Theory, 20 credits.

Or

Translation Specialisation

• Translation, 20 credits.
• Advanced Translation Theory, 20 credits.

To make up the remaining 30 credits to achieve the qualification learners are required to select two of the following modules to the value of 15 credits each:

• Bible Translation.
• Computer Assisted Translation.
• Inter-cultural communication.
• Lexicography.
• Translation of Literary works.

1. Conduct independent research using the relevant methodology and techniques in a particular area of translation or interpretation studies.
2. Edit translated/interpreted texts using knowledge of the source and target language.
3. Translate different types of texts from the source into the target language.
4. Interpret different types of texts from the source into the target language.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria should be applied in an integrated manor for all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Texts are translated/interpreted with precision and insight into their content and context.
• Phenomena are identified in a relevant domain.
• Reasoning is applied objectively and critically.
• Thoughts and solutions are developed from clearly conceptualised ideas.
• Academic papers and studies are written according to required standards.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment will be applied continually throughout the learning period. Summative assessment will be applied to ensure the achievement of each learning outcome and/or module. Integrated Assessment will be applied extensively across the modules of learning to ensure the integrated achievement of the Exit Level Outcomes.