Translation Theory & Practice - LAN00116M
Module summary
This core module will introduce you to the practical and theoretical components that underpin translation in professional settings. Throughout the module, you will learn a series of transferable skills that will empower you to become a critical and reflective translator.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2026-27 |
Module aims
This is an introductory module designed to equip you with a series of transferable (soft) skills that will enable you to become a more competent and reflective translator. Through a series of theory-based, profession-oriented lectures, seminars and language-specific workshops, you will learn strong analytical skills and develop the linguistic judgement which will enable you to overcome translation challenges and provide appropriate solutions to both genre-specific and intercultural issues. Moreover, this module introduces you to some of the latest translation technologies commonly used in the language industry.
Module learning outcomes
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- effectively translate texts from various genres,
- make important translation decisions drawing on existing scholarship,
- apply insights from translation research to translation practice,
- critically reflect on your role as an intercultural mediator,
- incorporate translation technologies into your workflow.
Module content
Below is an indicative list of topics:
- Equivalence in translation
- Purpose-driven translation
- Translation practice
- The translator’s (in)visibility
- The translator’s ideology
- Translation and diversity
- Translation, ethics and sustainability
- Localisation
- Transcreation
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 40.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 40.0 |
Module feedback
Assessment 1: You will receive formative and summative feedback from your language-specific lecturers.
Assessment 2: You will receive formative and summative feedback from your language-specific lecturers.
Indicative reading
Baker, M., & Jones, H. (2025). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation (4th ed.). Routledge.
Baumgarten, S. & Tieber, M. (Eds.). (2025). The Routledge Handbook of Translation Technology and Society. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Freeth, P. J., & Treviño, R. (Eds.). (2024). Beyond the Translator’s Invisibility: Critical Reflections and New Perspectives. Leuven University Press.
Kenny, D. (2017). Human issues in translation technology. Routledge.
Munday, J. (2012). Introducing Translation Studies Theories and Applications (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Nord, C. (2026). Translating as a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Approaches Explained (3rd ed.). Routledge.
O’Hagan, M. (2020). The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Technology (M. O’Hagan, Ed.). Routledge.
Olohan, M. (2020). Translation and Practice Theory. Routledge.
Penet, J.C., Moorkens, J., & Yamada, M. (2025). Teaching Translation in the Age of Generative AI: New Paradigm, New Learning? Language Science Press.
Pym, A. (2014). Exploring Translation Theories (2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis.
Rothwell, A., Moorkens, J., Fernández-Parra, M., Drugan, J., and Austermuehl, F. (2023). Translation Tools and Technologies. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.