Bachelor of Arts Degree in Translation and Intepretation Studies

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

The B.A. in Translation and Interpretation Studies (code RGR_BA07) provides students proficient in both English and Spanish with an opportunity to develop and perfect their linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to pursue a career in the field of translation and interpretation.

The areas covered by the B.A. in Translation and Interpretation Studies include technical vocabulary acquisition (legal, medical, business, technical, etc.), written translation research methodology (including the identification and use of primary and secondary sources), sight translation, and consecutive and simultaneous interpretation.

The training covers memorization and concentration techniques in terminology acquisition, as well as in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation, such as decalage and the incremental sentence. Instruction includes terminology and methodology resources, extensive usage of internet, court and medical transcripts and documents, video tapes, and numerous audio tapes. Students are trained in the classroom and in the new state-of-the-art simultaneous interpretation laboratory at CSULB.

Students work both individually and in groups in written and sight translation, and in the consecutive and simultaneous modes of interpretation, to prepare to work in State, Federal and Immigration courts, in the medical and business sectors, in civil legal litigation, for state agencies such as the Department for Social Services, the Housing Authority and the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, the film industry, and conference interpretation.

The purpose of the B.A. is to provide students with in-depth training, which is at the same time extensive and varied enough to make graduates highly marketable in both the public and private sectors. The B.A. in Translation and Interpretation Studies also provides invaluable training for students pursuing degrees in Business, Chicano and Latino Studies, Criminal Justice, Finance, Real Estate and Law, Health Sciences, International Studies, Journalism, and Political Science, among many other fields.

REQUIREMENTS:

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 * with a "B" or better.

The program consists of a Basic Core (21 units) comprised of seven specialized courses in order to meet the professional needs of students preparing for a career path that requires a solid foundation in translation and interpretation techniques and methodologies.

Translation and Interpretation Courses:
461 Introduction to Translation and Interpretation (*P 300 with a grade of B or better)
462 Written and Sight Translation I: English/Spanish (*P 461)
463 Written and Sight Translation II: Spanish/English (*P 461)
464 Consecutive Interpretation I (*P 461)
465 Consecutive Interpretation II (*P 461)
466 Simultaneous Interpretation English/Spanish (*P 461)
467 Simultaneous Interpretation Spanish/English (*P 461)
(Note: previous course numbers were: 412, 413, 414, 415 and 416)

In addition, 9 of the following 12 units:
Linguistics, Civilization, and Literature:
310 Intro to Literary Analysis (**P 300) (3)
423 Intro to Spanish Linguistics (**P 300 or instructor's consent) (3)
427 Contrastive Analysis - Spanish & English (**P upper-division in Spanish) (3)
445 Latin American Civilization (**P upper-division in Spanish) (3)

*P Spanish 300 has a section for non-native speakers and a section for native speakers. Students should note the difference in code numbers (S5 & S6 respectively) on the schedule of classes
**P (Prerequisite)

For further information, contact Dr. Alex Rainof, advisor for the Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpretation.