Translation Studies
Does Translation Studies suit me?
Studying Translation Studies
Translation studies as a field of study prepares students to translate texts or conversations from one language into another: interpreting refers to the oral form (e.g., lectures or interviews), translating to the written form (e.g., technical articles or novels).
Interpreting and translating have one thing in common: you need to have a very good knowledge of several languages and be familiar with different cultures. That's why language teaching plays an important role in translation studies: from grammar and vocabulary to dialects.
Content from social and cultural studies is also required, as you’ll need to recognize cultural differences and communicate them interculturally. During your studies, you’ll also acquire knowledge in translation studies and learn techniques for interpreting and language data processing.
If you’re interested in languages and love to travel, translation studies as field of study could be a good fit: a semester abroad is often recommended to learn your target language even better. Typical degree programs in this field of study include translation / translation studies, transcultural communication, translation studies, sign language interpreting, conference interpreting or simultaneous interpreting.
Personal requirements | Translation Studies
- Enthusiasm for languages and cultures
- Good listening ability
- Strong communication and expression skills
- Good ability to concentrate and accuracy
- Quick comprehension
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Take the testTypical course content | Translation Studies
- Linguistics basics
- Specialized translation
- Language exercises
- Translation techniques
- Grammar and text analysis
- Language technology
- Subject content: terminologies
- Regional and cultural studies
- Simultaneous interpreting (simultaneous translation of a conversation)
- Consecutive interpreting (delayed translation of a conversation)
Career prospects | Translation Studies
As an interpreter, you’ll translate conversations and spoken texts from a source language into a target language. Typical situations include court hearings, conferences, congresses or accompanying deaf people if you speak sign language. You may work in an interpreting office, for international companies or as a freelancer.
As a translator, you’ll translate written texts from one language into another. You can translate literary texts or documents such as contracts or operating instructions. Here too, you can work independently, for a translation agency or for companies in a wide range of industries.
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