Translation, BA

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Rey Romero, PhD, Coordinator
S1087, 713-226-5549

The BA in Translation is an interdisciplinary educational program that provides students with theoretical concepts and practical experience so that they can successfully use their linguistic competencies, technological tools, writing and reading skills, and intercultural knowledge to successfully prepare Spanish language translations in the medical and legal professions, as well as related fields such as writing/editing and interpreting. This interdisciplinary program provides a strong foundation in translation techniques, vocabulary strategies, and a required field experience for practical, hands-on training. The mission of this educational program is to help improve Houston’s language access services by providing state-of-the-art education in Spanish translation, in particular. This interdisciplinary degree empowers students with the necessary linguistic and critical thinking skills, tools, and knowledge to address and solve issues of language access among the Houston population, especially in the areas of law and medicine.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze, evaluate, and create accurate translations of legal, medical, and other professional texts from English to Spanish with accuracy, fidelity, and correct register and style.

2. Apply vocabulary research tools, as well as other vocabulary strategies and academic research skills, to solve complex linguistic gaps and differences in transferring a document from English to Spanish.

3. Utilize online and software tools for producing, editing, appraising, and streamlining during the translation process.

4. Implement translation skills and ethics in a professional setting, such as an internship or field experience, or project, such as the successful completion of previously untranslated text, to serve the Hispanic community at large.

Degree Requirements

Common Core Requirements (42 SCH)

See listing under Common Core Requirements in this catalog.

Preparatory Requirements (6-8 SCHs)

6-8 Hours of Foreign Language:

Complete 6-8 semester credit hours in the same foreign language. Semester credit hours are contingent upon placement exams, courses taken, or transfer credit. Semester credit hours bypassed by placement must be made up in elective credits. Hours earned in excess of three semester credit hours for any foreign language course may be applied to the elective area.

Major Requirements (48 SCHs)

*Courses indicated may be reused from the common core.

SPAN 3301 - Spanish Grammar and Composition
SPAN 3322 - Translation
SPAN 4320 - Medical Spanish
SPAN 4321 - Legal Spanish
SPAN 4324 - Translating for the Medical and Legal Professions
SPAN 4325 - Advanced Translation Techniques
SPAN Capstone (select from SPAN 3399 , SPAN 4380 , or SPAN 4390 )

Complete 6 SCHs in Technical Communication

Complete at least 6 semester credit hours from the following list of techical communication courses:

6 SCHs in Communication

Complete at least 6 semester credit hours from the following list of communication courses:

6 SCHs in English/Linguistics

Complete at least 6 semester credit hours from the following list of English/Linguistics courses:

9 SCHs in an Area of Interest

Complete at least 9 semester credit hours from the following list of supplemental content courses according to your interest:

Electives

Majors are required to complete a sufficient number of elective semester credit hours so that their entire coursework, including the above required courses, totals 120 semester credit hours. Upper or lower-level courses may be applied to this area, with the exceptions described under the “Requirements for CHSS Majors” section.