At the end of their training, the students in translation will be expert in a wide and solid range of knowledge, know-how and skills which they can employ in all aspects of translation and thereby communicate all the nuances of a message, formed by an author in a foreign language, in their mother tongue, French.
Therefore, at the end of their training, the students will have:
- developed expertise in their working languages in the practice of translation;
- mastered the different theoretical knowledge and know-how relating to translation and become able to employ them in an appropriate fashion in order to translate a document while respecting the author’s intentions and register;
- assimilated a range of thematic (disciplinary) and cultural knowledge which they are capable of employing and completing independently in order to carry out their translation assignment;
- mastered all aspects of written communication, and in particular accuracy, readability and flow to a high level of expertise;
- become able to implement a rigorous scientific and methodological approach to a translation problem and thereby improve their service;
- become capable of respectfully and constructively holding discussions and collaborating with speakers and their colleagues;
- consolidated their technical and ethical skills and knowledge through their first professional experiences.
Additionally, the students will have developed significant abilities to be adaptive and flexible, which allow them to confront various professional situations. The students will demonstrate tact and self-control at all times and will follow the profession’s ethical code. The students will integrate a continuous developmental logic which allows them to perform as professionals demonstrating high-level expertise and flexibility and develop positively within the context of their work. Additionally, the students will be conscious of developing and promoting their professional image and launching themselves on the job market.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
1.1. Operate perfectly in their A languages (mother tongue or language of the culture into which students translate): using language with a very high level of accuracy (level C2+), in order to communicate all the subtleties of meaning;
1.2. Have an in-depth understanding of all the nuances of two C languages (foreign languages from which translation is done): attain a level of fluency equivalent to that of a native speaker in oral and written comprehension (level C”) allowing them to understand complex subjects and arguments;
1.3. Master specialist language, terminology from different disciplines (particularly law, business and science and technical topics) in their comprehension of their C languages (level C2) and handle them perfectly in their A languages (level C2+);
1.4. Communicate an original message expressed in the C languages into the A language:
- demonstrating a perfect knowledge of the language of expression in order to convey the message easily;
- being aware of the speaker’s chain of thought;
- adapting the presentation (form) for the target audience while respecting the speaker’s aims, according to the register of the communication in question;
- so doing in a coherent, structured, and accurate manner which conveys all the nuances of meaning;
- and in accordance with the communication conventions specific to the context;
1.5. Update their linguistic knowledge.
2.1. Master and employ analysis methods and tools for the comprehension, and handling of a text;
2.2. Base their work upon an analysis of the text and a professional distance in order to resolve and remove the inherent difficulties of a source text;
2.3. Assimilate theory-based transposition techniques and employ them in practice until they become automatic;
2.4. Independently assimilate new knowledge and know-how and employ them rigorously and effectively in their professional practice;
2.5. Identify and cast a critical eye over new theories in the field (which are the products of research) which are likely to shed light upon and develop their professional practice;
More specifically in relation to technological knowledge and know-how:
2.6. Effectively use tools and techniques for documentary and terminological research;
2.7. Make appropriate and effective use of translation tools, including translation memories and other computer assisted translation tools;
2.8. Update and develop the technological know-how which is indispensable to translation practice by monitoring technical/technological innovations in the field as well as new fields of application and professions in translation.
3.1. Demonstrate a solid general knowledge and maintain the sense of curiosity necessary to continually expand that knowledge;
3.2. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the culture(s) of each of their working languages including their historical, geopolitical, economic, legal, social and artistic dimensions;
3.3. Detect the underlying socio-cultural components in a text and transpose them in the most appropriate way during the translation;
3.4. Analyse the assumptions, implicit meanings, allusions, stereotypes and intertextuality in a text in order to successfully render a faithful translation of all the aspects of the document in the source language.
4.1. Master basic knowledge in various fields of discipline, sociolects and terminologies in both their A and C languages;
4.2. Identify their information and documentation needs on the basis the translation assignment to be carried out;
4.3. Develop documentary and terminology research strategies by effectively selecting and using the relevant tools and search engines;
4.4. Demonstrate a critical and rigorous mind-set in the evaluation of sources;
4.5. Acquire the new knowledge necessary and employ it in order to carry out the translation assignment;
4.6. Create a network of expert informants and consult them as appropriate;
4.7. Create an effective archive for their own documents and thereby formulate an easily-usable database.
5.1. Situate and define a dissertation problem in the field of translation, terminology or translation studies, taking care to specify the context and clarify the applied research question(s) it raises;
5.2. Produce a review of scientific literature relating to the problem by critically questioning the validity and relevance of the available sources and knowledge;
5.3. Make critical choices of concepts, models and tools which are theoretically and empirically validated and relevant to the problem;
5.4. Employ the identified concepts, models and tools and adapt them as appropriate, or by creating new ones, in order to successfully reflect upon the specific problem;
5.5. Challenge the theoretical concepts and models employed when they are implemented in translation practice and thereby cast a critical eye over the translation choices;
5.6. Demonstrate an ability to summarize and formulate scientific conclusions;
5.7. Demonstrate diligence and construct theories, tools and/or action plans useful in professional practice as a translator;
5.8. Integrate cultural and intercultural aspects connected to the problem being studied throughout the reflection process;
5.9. Demonstrate the specific rigour and quality required for a translation assignment both in terms of the composition and the presentation;
5.10. Critically identify the challenges linked to recent developments in research which touch upon the different fields of translation.
6.1. Communicate in a correct, structured, neutral and reasoned manner in their A and C languages in accordance with the communication conventions peculiar to the context and by adapting their communication (content and form) to the target audience and intended aims;
6.2. Converse and interact in a respectful and constructive manner with different parties (both from a cultural point of view, as well as from the point of view of their role, the fields in which they practice and the domains where they possess disciplinary expertise):
- by employing verbal and nonverbal communication;
- by demonstrating an ability to listen, open-mindedness, empathy and assertiveness;
6.3. Effectively integrate into and collaborate within a team (in different, multicultural learning and professional situations) by being able to take care of different responsibilities in the management of the project to be realised, including when working remotely.
7.1. Engage in professional practice in accordance with an academic approach which is scientifically founded (from a theoretical and methodological point of view) and characterised by a critical distance;
7.2. Engage in, make decisions and act in the context of work and with third parties in an independent and responsible manner;
7.3. Cast a critical eye over their knowledge, skills (linguistic and otherwise) and practice;
7.4. Independently put in place methods and opportunities to improve their skills as part of system of continuing development which is indispensable in order to progress in a positive way in their social and professional environment.
8.1. Professionally manage the different stages from the purchase order to delivery of the final translation and closure of the file, being mindful to comply with deadlines and only accept contracts they are able to honour ;
8.2. Be aware of, comply with and apply the legal frameworks and ethical principles governing the translation profession (in particular discretion, confidentiality and professional secrecy;
8.3. Be aware of and apply the profession’s recognised quality standards and be mindful of keeping themselves informed of any developments;
8.4. Create a position for themselves with reference to their profession and expertise in translating, defining the scope of their services and specialisms, developing and promoting their professional image and placing themselves on the job market;
8.5. Demonstrate focus, perseverance, tact and self-control, particularly in stressful situations.
9.1. Master and critically employ their specific knowledge and skills in translation studies;
9.2. Develop expertise in interactive, academic communication in one of their C languages;
9.3. Analyse and provide a reflective and critical look at the sections of research in progress around case studies in different fields of specialisation.
10.1. Take part in education, in partnership with different parties;
10.2. Teach in authentic and varied situations;
10.3. Reflect upon and progress through the usual stages of continuing development.
For further information, please consult the civil service examination in upper secondary education.