Summer Translation Program
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Summer Translation Program
July 1 - 25, 2013
Arabic, Japanese and Spanish
2009, 2010 and 2011 Photo Gallery
Careers in Translation: Brandie Brunner talks about her work as an interpreter
What is the Summer Translation Program?
The Summer Translation Program (STP), hosted by the Department of World Languages and Literatures at Western Michigan University, offers a unique opportunity for advanced language learners and professionals to improve their translation skills while working on their language proficiency. This program is unique in that it provides intensive Arabic-English, Japanese-English, and Spanish-English translation training, which is only available in a handful of programs in the United States, despite the high demand for translators.
In order to do translation accurately and efficiently, it is necessary to develop special skills above and beyond the skills you have already developed in your language studies. Come join us at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for a four-week summer intensive program that will teach you about the practice and business of translation!
Should I apply?
The Program welcomes applicants from across the nation and the world who are:
- Undergraduate students from WMU or other universities who are studying a foreign language and are considering a career that will use those skills
- Graduate students from WMU or other universities who rely on translation for research
- Professionals who do or might be doing translation as part of their career
- Government officials who rely on foreign languages as part of their career
- High-school teachers who need advanced courses in foreign languages
- International students or professionals who are interested in a short-term intensive language program in the United States
- Native speakers of Arabic, Japanese, and Spanish who want to gain experience in translating to and from English
What kind of activities does the Summer Translation Program involve?
Students take the following two classes, and are considered full-time students at Western Michigan University for the duration of the STP. The classes will meet a total of 17 contact hours per week.
- LANG 5800: Theory and Business of Translation (2 credit hours). Students from the two language sections will come together in this course to talk about theoretical approaches to translation, practical problems translators encounter, and preparing themselves for careers in translation. This course on the business and theory of translation talks about the various problems involved in translation as well as some of the key issues that one might face in starting a translation business. All of the students from the various languages take this course together.
- LANG 5030: Practicum in Translation (3 credit hours). There will be three sections of this course, one for each of the languages offered: Arabic, Japanese, and Spanish. These classes are designed to give students hands-on experience with translation with one language in particular. Classroom exercises and discussion will focus on the particular challenges of translating that particular language. Each section will meet for 3 hours per day (MTWR) for four weeks (48 contact hours). This practicum gives practical exercises and advice regarding translating between your chosen language and English. This course is language specific; for instance, students of Arabic would work with an Arabic professor and fellow Arabic students, whereas students of Japanese and Spanish would be in a separate classes.
In addition to the two courses described above, the STP will bring two or more guest experts to campus in order to give lectures or workshops about the skills and practical knowledge needed to be successful in the field of translation. Past guests have included translators who have started successful independent translation businesses and one of the past presidents of the American Translators Association. International students, students from other cities or states, and local students will be able to take part in extracurricular activities highlighting aspects of southwestern Michigan, such as a trip to Lake Michigan and visits to local museums and other points of interest.
How is the Summer Translation Program different from ordinary language classes?
Most language programs focus on developing students’ ability to interact with native speakers smoothly and fluently in the target language. The emphasis on producing automatic, natural responses means that most language programs tend to engage students in activities that happen solely in the target language, and thus translation is kept to a minimum.
While such techniques are crucial in developing automaticity and fluency, it is also helpful for students interested in translation to think about the correspondences (and sometimes, the lack of correspondences) between English and their other language. Translation involves going smoothly back and forth between languages—a skill that is rarely emphasized in the language classroom. The STP offers students an unusual opportunity to begin developing these skills with published professors specializing in the field of translation.
What are the goals of the Program?
- Providing participants with intensive training on translating to and from the particular language of their specialty
- Giving students the practical skills and basic knowledge necessary to make a career of translation
- Preparing a future generation of translators specializing in practical and literary translation
- Raising awareness of the theoretical and practical problems of translation, especially in regards to linguistic and cultural issues
Questions? Contact:
Dr. Molly Lynde-Recchia, Director, for questions regarding registration, tuition, Spanish or general information: molly.lynde-recchia@wmich.edu
Dr. Mustafa Mughazy for Arabic: mustafa.mughazy@wmich.edu
Dr. Jeffrey Angles for Japanese: jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu
Dr. Vincent Desroches for translation theory and business: vincent.desroches@wmich.edu
Department of World Languages and Literatures
410 Sprau Tower
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5338
TEL: (269) 387-6243, (269) 387-3001
FAX: (269) 387-6333