Specialised Electives

(Note: All the listed Specialised Elective courses will be offered in each academic year. Students are required to gain a minimum of 12 academic units (AUs) from this category.)

TI6001 Translation Theories (3 AUs)

This course provides a comprehensive introduction of translation theories; topics include lexical semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, structures of meaning in text, the translator as an intercultural mediator, translation quality, loyalty and creativity, and key concepts and tools in post-graduate academic reading and writing. With the aim of equipping students with the prerequisite knowledge of translation studies, this course also serves as a strong foundation for subsequent translation training as well as further research in the field of translation.

TI6003 Introduction to Interpretation (2 AUs)

This course aims to prepare students for the intensive training before the immersion programme, introducing various modes of interlingual interpreting, including liaison, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and public service interpreting. Students will acquire basic interpreting skills as well as academic knowledge of interpretation studies. Topics to be covered include theories of interpretation, the code of conduct, the role of the interpreter, and essential skills of interpretation such as sight translation, note taking and shadowing.

TI6004 Translation Technology (2 AUs)

This course aims to equip students with the specialist knowledge, up-to-date skills and hands-on experience of translation technology. Topics to be covered include history and applications of machine translation, translation memory (TM) tools, computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, revision and post-editing skills, the pros and cons of using translation technology, and relevant challenges facing translators today. Specific applications to be introduced may include SDL Trados Studio, memoQ™, and Wordfast.

TI6005 Specialised Translation IV (Science, Technology and Medicine) (3 AUs) 

This course aims to provide students with specialised background knowledge in science, technology and medicine, preparing students to work professionally in the emerging, highly specialised translation market. After a general introduction, the subsequent contents are divided into three parts. Each part has a specific theme, i.e. science, technology, and medicine. Students will work on bilateral translation of specialised texts including popular science articles, scientific journal papers and reports, proposals, user guides, product documentation, patents, technical specifications, etc. Each part comprises lectures, seminars, and group projects.

(New!)   TI6501 Texts in Context in Translation and Interpretation (3AUs)

This course introduces you to the analysis of language at different levels – from the word level to the level of texts in content. In the first half of the course, you will be introduced to traditional descriptive analysis of grammar and to lexical-semantic analysis, that is, analysis of word meanings and influences on word meanings. The implications of such analysis for translation at the sentence and word level are explored simultaneously. The second half of the course explores the relationship between text and context in the creation of meanings and its implications for translation and interpretation. You will be introduced to the framework and concepts of Systemic Functional Linguistics (系统功能语言学) for the analysis of texts in context, as well as to selected notions from other related theories. You will explore how such analysis can be applied in English-Chinese and Chinese-English translation and interpretation. 

(New!)   TI6502 AI, ChatGPT and Machine Translation (3AUs)

This course aims to equip students with in-depth knowledge of the machine translation (MT) technology which is commonly used and quickly evolving in the industry. Topics include the theory and application of MT, strengths and limitations of the state-of-the-art MT systems and the various technical skills required when working with MT systems. The course focuses on both theoretical understanding and technical training that unlock the best of what the current technology can offer. The course aims to enable translators to work with CAT tools efficiently and embrace a critical and proactive mentality towards integrating technology in their working pipeline.

(New!)   TI6504 Contrastive Linguistics and Translation: English - Chinese (3AUs)

This course focuses on the linguistic similarities and differences between English and Chinese and their implications for English-Chinese translation. It covers the major linguistic aspects of the two languages, including in particular word formation, lexicon, syntax, and discourse and pragmatics. It will also introduce the linguistic features of Singapore Mandarin and Singapore English in the context of Global Chinese and World Englishes and their implications for translation practice in Singapore. Through a good review of English-Chinese contrastive linguistics, you will enhance your linguistic knowledge essential for translation and interpretation, and learn how to conduct linguistic analysis in both Chinese and English and explain their features from typological and translation perspectives. This course will serve as a strong foundation for your subsequent professional training as well as further research in the field of translation and interpretation.

(New!)   TI6505 Research Methodology: Dissertation and Capstone Project (3AUs)

This course is a compulsory course for MTI students who are the research track. This course is composed of two parts with specific training for writing dissertation and taking capstone project. you will acquire knowledge and skills about research ethos and ethics, research methodology, delineating scope and setting hypothesis which are instrumental skills to design a good research topic. Equal emphasis will be placed on qualitative and quantitative research methods. In the field of translation and interpreting studies, data collection, data size and data analysis are fundamental skills to deliver empirical research. 

Another component of this course is on the practical skills for conducting research related to specific translation projects. The second part of the course will focus on the importance of solid research skill preparing for practical translation.  Different areas of translation will be covered, including: working in specialised/technical translation, translating ancient texts, translating names, and handling material translated from a third language into the source text (i.e., finding official translations from the original).