Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)

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• Information Session

  Find out more about the program in a free, on-site information session.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Translation & Interpretation Program Information Session INFO-70027 0.00 units Description

  • This free information session is designed for those who are interested in learning more about UCSD Extension's Translation and Interpretation programs and the profession of translation and interpretation. For more information prior to this session, please visit extension.ucsd.edu/interpretation.

• PREREQUISITE

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Entrance Exam EXAM-80002 0.00 units Description

  • Students must pass the entrance exam prior to enrolling in either certificate program. The exam is a written assessment of your language skills in English and Spanish. In particular, it tests your knowledge of vocabulary, reading comprehension, and spelling, including proper use of diacritics, e.g. accent marks in both languages, and assesses your ability to complete college-level coursework. Select courses may be taken prior to passing the entrance exam, however, admission to advanced courses and obtaining either certificate requires its successful completion.

• REQUIRED COURSES

  All 21 units are required.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Introduction to Translation LING-40106 1.50 units Description

  • Discover how to turn your language skills into a new career in translation. Get a practical introduction to the field of translation in this hands-on course. Vocabulary studies and problem solving techniques associated with translation are highlighted. Translation methods and career options are also addressed.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Introduction to Interpretation LING-40109 1.50 units Description

  • This course examines the profession of interpreting, including employment opportunities, the role of the interpreter, administrative matters, and ethical considerations. In addition, an overview will be given of the three modes of interpretation (sight, consecutive and simultaneous), as well as the different areas of interpretation, such as legal, medical, business, community and conference interpretation.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• English to Spanish Translation I LING-40039 3.00 units Description

  • This course consists of an intensive review of the general rules of Spanish written language and its present modifications. It is taught entirely in Spanish and will cover the Spanish written fundamentals necessary for writing error-free Spanish translations. Instruction will focus on the latest revision of regulations by the Real Academia Española, as well as the most common problems translators face in the areas of spelling, punctuation, word usage, and grammar.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Spanish to English Translation I LING-40040 3.00 units Description

  • This course is designed to improve the writing skills of translators working from Spanish into English. Students will review the fundamentals of written English grammar and will make contrastive analyses between Spanish and English writing styles, so that their translations are written in error-free English.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Theory and Practice of Translation LING-40004 3.00 units Description

  • This course introduces the basic theory and strategies for written translation. Students translate texts from various categories including literary, technical, business and advertising. Through hands-on practice and exercises, participants develop the fundamental analytical, cognitive, and linguistic skills that are essential for professional written as well as sight translations.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Sight Translation: Theory & Practice LING-40086 3.00 units Description

  • Learn the basic concepts and techniques of sight translation. Through text analysis, identify units of meaning, and the similarities and differences in English and Spanish grammar and writing styles. Each class includes theory and practical exercises to ensure that students can produce accurate, natural, and smooth sight translations into the target texts.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Consecutive Interpretation: Theory & Practice LING-40037 3.00 units Description

  • This course offers students the opportunity to apply consecutive interpretation techniques in a variety of topics and settings. Topics are generalized and emphasis is placed on enhancing listening performance and note-taking skills.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Simultaneous Interpretation: Theory & Practice LING-40038 3.00 units Description

  • This course offers students the opportunity to learn and apply simultaneous interpretation techniques to a variety of topics and settings. Students interpret conference speeches dealing with politics, current affairs, medicine, international news and motivational topics.

• ELECTIVES

  A minimum of 9 units is required from any of the following categories.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• 0.00 units Description

• General Electives

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• English to Spanish Translation II LING-40027 3.00 units Description

  • This course covers the basic techniques and strategies for English to Spanish translation. It analyzes common English to Spanish translation pitfalls and the differences between these languages' written styles. The course is appropriate for beginning translators as well as experienced professionals who wish to refine their skills. Participants will practice translating a wide variety of texts into Spanish, work with different formats, review several tools, and discuss practical related articles and examples.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Spanish to English Translation II LING-40011 3.00 units Description

  • This course covers the latest techniques and strategies in Spanish to English translation and is appropriate for beginning translators as well as experienced professionals who wish to refine their skills. The acquisition of appropriate vocabulary and practice in solving problems of contrastive syntax is emphasized. Included is a brief review of English grammar and orthography when relevant, along with tips on how to find and obtain resources that save time when researching hard-to-find words or expressions.

• Business

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Business Translation LING-40025 3.00 units Description

  • Learn specific skills to translate a variety of texts found in a business environment. Learn about different types of business organizations, understand the language of contracts and gain vocabulary used in economics and international commerce. Solutions to typical business translation hurdles and the development of subject-specific glossaries are addressed. Practice techniques and concepts learned in a hands-on classroom environment.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Tools and Technology in Translation LING-40107 3.00 units Description

  • Learn about on- and off-line resources to increase productivity, refine researching skills and assure a top-quality translation work. Feel comfortable showcasing your talent and networking with clients and colleagues through a professional site, web profiles and social networking outlets. Build teamwork and organizational skills and get ready to manage large translation projects. Become familiar with the Computer-Assisted Translation Tool (CAT) environment and some industry-specific jargon to communicate better with project managers and other players in the translation industry worldwide.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Strategic Marketing & Branding for Translators & Interpreters LING-40113 3.00 units Description

  • Acquire the marketing and personal branding tools needed for career success as a freelance or in-house professional in the language industry, including professional selling, image building, and other essential marketing and business etiquette tools. This course is intended for advanced-level students who are ready to enter the job market and for professionals already working in the field.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Introduction to Swordfish LING-40118 2.00 units Description

  • Learn to use Swordfish, a cross-platform Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tool and create and maintain translation memory files and glossaries that will greatly assist you in your translation work. Become skilled at program installation, use a license in different computers, set up databases to record your progress while performing translation projects and keep a glossary with preferred terminology, convert files into different formats to meet the demand of clients and collaborate with colleagues using other CAT tools, cooperate with classmates to complete translation assignments, and use the industry jargon during negotiation with clients.

• Education

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Interpretation and Translation in Education LING-40102 3.00 units Description

  • Translators and interpreters have a wide variety of roles in education settings, including working with school/district documents, in special education, facilitating appointments with students and parents, as well as bridging the communication divide between the community and officials at state, local board, and community meetings. Learn the education-specific vocabulary and acronyms you need to know to excel as a translator and interpreter in the education environment.

• Legal

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Introduction to Court Interpretation LING-40071 3.00 units Description

  • This course provides an overview of the court system and related proceedings and the registers of speech typically encountered in legal proceedings. The court interpreter's role and code of ethics are emphasized. A study of legal terminology and comparative law is included.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Legal Interpretation in Criminal Proceedings LING-40072 3.00 units Description

  • This advanced course covers the different court proceedings that take place in the course of the prosecution of a criminal case. Criminal cases will be followed through the State and Federal Systems from the arraignment process through the sentencing hearing. Students will perform role-playing exercises in simultaneous, consecutive and sight translation as appropriate and based on the type of interpretation required in court.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Legal Translation LING-40035 3.00 units Description

  • Through hands-on practice, exercises, and the study of legal concepts in our language/legal system combination, students apply translation techniques to render a product with the same legal effect it is meant to have in its source legal system and language. A translation method is implemented through research and discussion of sample legal texts and course materials. Course focus is on criminal law and procedure as applied in the U.S. courts. Each lesson includes a parallel study of criminal law and procedure in a model Civil Law country to that of the U.S. model.

• Medical

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Medical Translation: Internal Medicine LING-40092 3.00 units Description

  • This specialized course examines technical terminology and scientific writing style required in medical translation. Emphasis is on developing a conceptual framework and cogent bicultural approach to the translation of medical literature. Gain a basic understanding of medical concepts and terminology in cardiology, pulmonology, and internal medicine through lecture and practical exercises.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Medical Translation: Specialty Areas LING-40093 3.00 units Description

  • This specialized course examines technical terminology and scientific writing style required in medical translation. Emphasis is on developing a conceptual framework and cogent bicultural approach to the translation of medical literature. Gain a basic understanding of medical concepts and terminology in neurology, nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology through lecture and practical exercises.

• Course Title Course Number Units Actions
• Medical Interpretation LING-40104 3.00 units Description

  • This course addresses patient/provider communication, cultural interference, interpreter code of ethics, and the role of the interpreter in the healthcare setting and industry. Online exercises familiarize the student with medical terminology and scenarios that an interpreter encounters while on the job. Hands-on practice with specialized, medical-focused material builds the necessary sight, consecutive, and simultaneous interpreting skills.

The Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English) is issued upon completion of the entrance exam and the total number of required credit units (30 quarter units). The approximate cost of the program is $4,910 (includes course fees, entrance exam fee, and certificate enrollment fee) and is paid incrementally as students enroll in courses rather than up front. Cost does not include textbooks, materials and parking. Course fees and schedules are subject to change.

From the 'Apply Now' button, login to your student account, complete the online application, and pay the application fee if applicable. It is preferable that you create an account before proceeding if you have not already done so.

Candidates are encouraged to apply in the certificate program as early as possible to take advantage of program benefits. See Certificate FAQs for more information.

• Contact

  Arts, Humanities, Languages & Digital Arts. Call 858-534-5760 or Email: ahl@ucsd.edu

• Conditions for Admission

  Total fluency in both English and Spanish, including the ability to speak, read, and write at a second year university level, is required. Fluency is determined by a written entrance exam (online or onsite). Select courses may be taken prior to the entrance exam.

• Rebeca Calderon

  Federal and State Certified Court Interpreter
  M.A.

• Barbara Edwards

  Exec Office Programs Division, Judicial Council of CA
  

• Grant Goodall

  University of California, San Diego
  PhD

• Holly Mikkelson

  Monterey Institute of International Studies
  

• Ana Morales

  San Diego Unified School District
  

• Teresa Newman

  Scripps Healthcare
  PhD, FNP