TRAM449 Interpreting and Technologies
Key information
- Start date:
- 03 February 2025
- Attendance dates:
- 3 February 2025 to 6 June 2025
- Venue:
- Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
- Contact details:
- Email: cts@surrey.ac.uk
Overview
This module introduces students to the principles and practical implications of using different technologies in the interpreting profession. It addresses the impact of technology on the interpreting process and product, and on the delivery of interpreting services in the 21st century. The module explores the use of technological tools and resources such as electronic corpora and databases for background research and preparation, the role of communication technologies such as videoconferencing to support different modalities of remote interpreting (distance interpreting), the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools and techniques such as natural language processing (NLP), automatic speech recognition (ASR) and machine translation (MT) to support interpreters before and during assignments. The module also discusses the implications of machine interpreting (speech-to-speech translation).
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to:
- Understand how technology can impact the interpreting process, the interaction between the participants in an interpreter-mediated event, the interpreting product and the delivery of interpreting services
- Apply digital skills such as locating World-Wide Web resources, consulting on-line databases, compiling subject-specific electronic corpora and extracting terminology from them to support the preparation of an interpreting assignment
- Distinguish between different configurations of distance/remote interpreting for the delivery of interpreting services, appreciate their different motivations and specific challenges in both present and future professional contexts
- Use communication technologies such as videoconferencing, webconferencing, webcasting and different types of interpreting platforms confidently to deliver interpreting assignments in different interpreting situations
- Recognize the principles of semi-automated and fully automated speech-to-text and speech-to-speech translation, and the advantages and disadvantages of using it as an emerging alternative to human interpreting
Course content
- Overview of the evolution of interpreting technologies and reasons for the often complex relationship between interpreters and technology
- Interpreting in the 21st Century: new tools and resources; from communication technologies to artificial intelligence (AI)
- Classic tools for the preparation of interpreting assignments: Electronic glossaries and corpora; terminology extraction techniques; hands-on practice
- Telephone and video-mediated interpreting in different settings (e.g. court, healthcare): comparing different modalities of distance interpreting in terms of interpreting quality, interaction and user experience; implications for the interpreting profession; hands-on practice
- Simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms for remote simultaneous interpreting
- Other technologies: portable and mobile devices for interpreting
- AI-powered tools and technologies to support interpreters in the preparation of assignments and during assignments: automatic speech recognition (ASR), automatic summarisation, ChatGPT; machine translation (MT); hands-on practice
- The changing landscape of the interpreting industry; market trends, perceptions of interpreters
- Machine interpreting (speech-to-speech translation) as an emerging reality; current uses, limitations, future directions.
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- provide students with a good understanding of, and opportunities for practice using technologies related to interpreting through hands-on and scaffolding learning
- stimulate critical thinking and debate encouraging students’ reflection, adaptability, and creativity
- raise awareness of professional ethics and standards in global contexts
- provide opportunities for developing interpersonal and professional skills needed to progress and be employment ready
- encourage student participation in both simulations and in-class discussions on the use of interpreting technologies, enabling them to develop as informed, confident and engaged independent learners
- develop enterpreneurial skills beyond the lectures and make use of additional materials and resources provided by the School to support their future employment.
Learning and teaching includes:
- This module is co-taught by a number of staff who have expertise in the fields of remote/video-conference interpreting, respeaking, automatic interpreting, as well as corpus linguistics. Contact hours are shaped in the form of both lecturing and seminars. Hand-on sessions are organized to enable students’ active learning. Contact hours will be complemented with materials and activities for guided study posted on SurreyLearn.
- Lectures will be interspersed with hands-on activities in class and opportunities for group and whole class discussions. Students are invited to contribute to discussions from their own background and experiences and are encouraged to be actively involved in problem solving, thus developing their own judgement and opinions.
- Independent study during which students are expected to carry out research and read around the subject areas. To this end, students are encouraged to work individually as well as in groups, explore the history and current landscape of interpreting technologies being applied in different countries. This will enable students to develop increased global and cultural capabilities as well as resourcefulness and to enhance their knowledge base and competence on relevant and topical issues for interpreters.
Students are encouraged to be active participants throughout the course, and in doing so, develop as informed, confident, collaborative and independent learners.
Assessment
- An Individual Practical Project and Report (1500 words) (50%)
- An Essay (2000 words) (50%)
The first assessment will use tailor-made content for students to critically comment on the use of selected interpreting technologies. The second assessment will invite students to provide an independent evaluation of the use of interpreting technologies by applying a range of skills developed at post-graduate level, including advanced analysis and synthesis of arguments and presentation.
Course leader
![Elena Davitti profile image](/sites/default/files/styles/image_150x150_scale_and_crop/public/2023-12/elena-davitti_0.jpg?itok=Qa82B4DS)
Dr Elena Davitti
Associate Professor in Translation Studies
Reading list
Entry requirements
- You need to be fluent in English as you will be required to process texts and discuss practice and/or concepts in detail (IELTS level of 6.5 overall, or equivalent)
- You should have a first degree
Fees and funding
Price per person:
£800
A 25% discount is available for CTS graduates or for applicants who have previously done a CTS CPD course.
How to apply
Apply online below where you will be asked to upload your CV, academic and language qualifications and respond to a few brief questions about yourself.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood the University's prospective student privacy notice.
Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
- Email: cts@surrey.ac.uk
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH