Postgraduate Diploma in Language Practice

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to enable working language practitioners to undertake reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking and research methods in the disciplines of translation, interpreting and language management. The qualification also aims to provide a retraining opportunity for learners in other professions.

Rationale

In the officially multi-lingual context of South Africa, the need for language practitioners is ever-increasing, both in the public and the private sector. The qualification is suitable for translators, interpreters and language managers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.

The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts in Language Practice, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 or equivalent.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 64 Credits

• Capita Selecta (Postgrad Diploma) - Linguistics module, 32 Credits.
• Language Practice, 32 Credits.

Elective Modules, 32 Credits, Choose Two

• Language Policy and Planning in Practice, 32 Credits.
• Foundations of Interpreting: Theory and Practice, 32 Credits.
• Approaches to the Theory and Practice of Community Translation, 32 Credits.

1. Demonstrate engagement in an area at the forefront of the field of language practice.
2. Evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
3. Apply a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to the relevant sub-discipline of language practice.
4. Identify and address ethical issues.
5. Operate effectively within a system, or manage the system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
6. Take full responsibility for own work, decision making and use of resources and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.

• Demonstrate level-appropriate practical skills as translators, interpreters and language managers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and research methods relevant to the sub-disciplines of language practice.
• Communicate academic and professional ideas effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights and rigorous interpretations.
• Apply in a self-critical manner learning strategies which effectively address own and others professional and ongoing learning needs.

Integrated Assessment

The approach to assessment is predominantly continuous with projects, portfolios of evidence of practical competence and oral assessments dominating the assessment strategies. Where modules are theoretical in nature formative small group work, laboratory work in the interpreting laboratory and individual assignments are favoured.

Summative Assessments would tend to be open-book examinations with access to all the sources required to support excellent translation and interpretation work. In the case of summative assessments, i.e. examinations, including, among others, oral and practical examinations, or module credit assessments (semester or module tests/portfolios in cases where the promotion system applies), departments are required to apply internal assessment and external moderation.