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Department of Linguistics

Postgraduate Certificate of Translating & Interpreting (Specialisation: Community Interpreting)

Aim

The aim of the Postgraduate Certificate in Translating and Interpreting (Specialisation: Community Interpreting) is to provide a multilingual curriculum to meet the needs of interpreters working in the community with emerging languages (such as those of new arrivals in Australia through the humanitarian program) and languages of small (typically indigenous and migrant) communities. The program is targeted at proficient bilinguals from a range of linguistic backgrounds to study the basics of interpreting for professional practice. This program meets the needs of people who are either already working as interpreters in the community, but lack the basic elements of training, or students who have no previous experience of interpreting but wish to enter the field on the basis of their bilingualism and motivation.

Outcomes

By the end of the program, graduates should expect to be able to:

  • Exhibit the Macquarie University graduate capabilities of self-awareness, interpersonal skills, communication and critical analysis skills, problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • Demonstrate solid language skills for community interpreting
  • Apply T&I theory to practice
  • Utilise different interpreting techniques and strategies
  • Conduct self and peer analysis and critique of sight translations, consecutive and dialogue interpretations
  • Discuss the role of the community interpreter in specific contexts
  • Define ethical and professional community interpreting practice
  • Apply linguistic analysis in discussion of community interpreting

Availability:

Semester 1 only

Part-time only

External study with some on-campus block sessions

Any Language

Duration:

1 year part time

Convenor:

Ms Helen Slatyer

Admission requirements:

Undergraduate degree GPA 2.5 in T&I, Linguistics, Language or Cultural Studies, or other related fields; IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 600 or iTOEFL 100, or a recognised test in Australia; or NAATI Paraprofessional accreditation in any language.

Students who do not have a bachelor degree may still be considered for admission if they can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge through professional development activities and work experience. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Description:

The aim of the Postgraduate Certificate of Translating and Interpreting (Specialisation: Community Interpreting) is to provide a multilingual curriculum to meet the needs of interpreters who may be working in the community but lack the basic elements of training, or students who have no previous experience of interpreting but wish to enter the field on the basis of their bilingualism and motivation.
Please note:  

Course Structure:

Details of the course structure are contained in the Macquarie University Handbook.

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