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PL52159: Russian to English simultaneous interpreting

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWOA 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Simultaneous interpretation into English of an approx. 11-minute Russian speech (CWOA 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to demonstrate:
  • that you have assimilated the professional skills and techniques of simultaneous interpreting by interpreting a Russian speech of up to 11 minutes into English in exam conditions
  • that you have the intellectual capability to analyse and quickly grasp a Russian speaker's argument and ideas
  • that you can communicate clearly and concisely in English of an appropriate register
  • that you can research topic areas and build glossaries of relevant terminology
  • that you have gained an understanding of the role of professional interpreters and how they interact with both speakers and end-users



Synopsis: Learn the skills and techniques for simultaneous interpreting that are required to embark on a career as a professional conference interpreter. Working in our professional-grade interpreting suites, you'll apply your linguistic knowledge to this challenging task by engaging in a range of practical exercises on which you will receive constructive feedback. You'll take part, as both speaker and interpreter, in a series of 'mini conferences' designed to provide a realistic practice environment.

Content: The unit begins with a series of sessions designed to improve active listening and analytical skills on the one hand, and English flexibility and agility on the other. Sight translation promotes the development of automatic solutions and links between the two languages. These skills are then applied and developed in the booth, with a focus on interpreting ideas rather than words, and reformulating the speaker's message into natural, easily digestible English. The aim is for the interpretation to make the same impression on the listener as the original speaker would have done. The speeches interpreted are of increasing length and complexity and cover a range of topic areas. While early speeches are tailormade to fit teaching objectives, later on authentic real-world material is used. Students are also provided with practice materials to use for individual and group practice. Mini-conferences are organised in Semester 2 to provide an opportunity to practise simultaneous interpreting in a realistic environment with a booth colleague. Individual, formative feedback is provided to each student in class at least once every two weeks, fostering continuous progress. In addition, two formal formative assessments with indicative marks are held around Weeks 11 and 25. Summative assessment consists of the interpretation of one speech from Russian into English lasting up to 11 minutes for a panel of examiners, reflecting the format of professional accreditation tests.

Course availability:

PL52159 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian 
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Spanish

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.