Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
C41LP
2. Course
Title
5. School
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Management and Languages
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Sem…..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Sem…….
Liaison & Public Service Interpreting
Sem………..
3. SCQF 11
4. Credits
Level
6. Course
Ms Christine W L Wilson
Co-ordinator
Approved Learning Partner
15
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
15. Aims
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
None (the course is available an option on the following
progammes: PG Dip / MSc in Translation and Computer-Assisted
Translation Tools, PG Dip / MSc in Arabic-English Translation and
Computer-Assisted Translation Tools, PG Dip / MSc in ChineseEnglish Translation and Computer-Assisted Translation Tools;
PGDip/MSc Interpreting and Translating, PGDip/MSc Arabic-English
Interpreting and Translating, PGDip/MSc Chinese-English
Interpreting and Translating
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
To equip learners with skills to negotiate interactional exchanges between two or more persons of different languages and cultures in a variety of settings (including business and public sector
settings);
To develop in learners mastery of the skills and techniques of liaison/two-way interpreting and associated activities to professional standards (National Occupation Standards in Interpreting).
16. Syllabus
The liaison and public service interpreting syllabus concentrates on introducing and developing the knowledge and skills required to become a competent professional liaison/bilateral
interpreter working in general, business and public sector settings. In the course of the course students will become familiar with the following styles of interpreting: liaison/bilateral interpreting
(i.e. “two-way” interpreting mostly in consecutive mode), sight translation to support interpreting and chuchotage (whisper interpreting, in simultaneous mode). In addition, the course will
explore a range of models of interpreting and the possible roles of a liaison/bilateral interpreter, the principles of professional practice, codes of ethics and ethical dilemmas. The course will
also reflect on preparation for the interpreting assignment; handling briefing and de-briefing; managing the interpreting situation (and aspects of interpersonal dynamics); and continuing
professional development (i.e. to evaluate and enhance performance of oneself and colleagues). The course will focus on some public sector fields as case studies (e.g. medical, legal, etc.) to
explore the demands and boundaries of working in these fields, to develop coping strategies, and to apply skills in simulated professional contexts. The course will also introduce some of the
alternative ways of providing an interpreting service which may include: working in an interpreting team; relay interpreting; remote interpreting by telephone/video-conferencing. The course
begins with a general introduction to the knowledge and skills which underpin applied practice; specific aspects of knowledge and skills will then be introduced and applied; in the course of the
semester skills will be combined so that by the end of the semester all skills may be displayed in an “interpreting assignment”.
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Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Skills
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
Mastery of the skills and techniques of liaison/two-way interpreting and associated skills (including sight translation and chuchotage) to professional standards;
Critical understanding of the principal theories and principles underpinning professional practice in two-way interpreting and associated skills;
Critical understanding of intercultural and interlingual issues in two-way interpreting and associated skills;
Knowledge of how to manage face-to-face interaction for particular purposes;
Ability to mediate between interlocutors who do not share a common language;
Critical awareness of current issues in two-way interpreting, including alternative styles of delivering an interpreting service;
Ability to memorise information and use notation;
Ability to prepare and plan for two-way interpreting in a wide variety of styles of work and types of setting;
Deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in situations in the absence of complete information or research;
Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in two-way interpreting to respond to new challenges and opportunities.
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Ability to source and utilise data from library, internet, database and other primary sources as part of planning and preparation for professional activity;
Ability to review, organise and evaluate evidence and reflect and comment critically on it.
Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Industrial, Commercial and Professional Practice
Apply critical awareness of ethical and professional issues with respect to liaison/two-way interpreting and associated activities;
Use a significant range of the principal skills, techniques and practices associated with liaison/two-way interpreting (including sight translation and chuchotage);
Relate theory to practice in applying translation and interpreting skills in a professional capacity;
Practise in a wide range of types and levels of professional setting (both business related and public sector fields);
Develop understanding of the practices and procedures of a number of professional/public sector fields;
Demonstrate the creativity to extend existing skills to prepare for new types of interpreting assignments.
Autonomy, Accountability and Working with Others
Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in professional interpreting contexts;
Demonstrate the ability to work independently where appropriate;
Deal with complex ethical and professional issues and make informed judgements on issues not addressed by current codes or practices;
Take responsibility for own and others’ work as part of a team in relevant professional interpreting contexts;
Practise in ways which draw on critical reflection to review, develop and enhance own and others’ performance in professional interpreting contexts.
Communication, Numeracy and ICT
Develop relevant transferable communication skills, including note-taking skills, cross-cultural communication skills, interpersonal skills, etc.;
Communicate effectively and efficiently with other professionals in the field, including colleagues and clients;
Use technology to deliver interpreting services (e.g. use of microphone, telephone and video-conferencing systems).
18. Assessment Methods
Method
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
Weighting (%)
Oral examination (liaison interpreting)
50%
Oral examination (sight translation)
25%
Oral examination (chuchotage)
25%
Synoptic courses?
Method
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
Examination resit
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
Version
Number
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Diet(s)