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Translation Studies/Traductologie

All Programs

LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
Glendon Campusmatrans@glendon.yorku.cayorku.ca/glendon/gradstudies/mats/

Languages of instruction: English and/or French
Langues d’enseignement : anglais et/ou français

The Graduate Program in Translation Studies offers courses and opportunities for advanced studies leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Translation Studies. It allows students to expand their knowledge on specific translation-related areas and to engage in a critical reflection on the role of language and translation in our contemporary world. The graduate program was established in 1991, in response to the increasing complexity of the translation-related language sector in Canada and to the growth of translation studies as a scholarly field. Through the years the program has maintained its original objectives while broadening its scope. Building on the Canadian experience of French-English translation, the program also welcomes students with a variety of backgrounds and language combinations. It is open to students who hold undergraduate translation degrees and to applicants from other fields who have demonstrated translation training and experience. The Graduate Program in Translation Studies invites research on translation from various perspectives and fields of knowledge and practice. It prepares students for research in Translation Studies and offers on average two practical courses per year.

The program can be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. For full-time students, it is a two-year program. Courses are offered at Glendon College, York University’s bilingual Faculty, close to Toronto city centre. Seminars are offered in English or in French. The average number of students taking courses at Glendon is 2,000 with some 200 at the School of Translation, including an average of 50 students in the MA program. Such small numbers are a guarantee of a more individualized learning environment, which is very valuable for research and studies at a higher level.

Admission Requirements

Master of Arts Program

For more information and an application package, please call or write:

MA in Translation Studies
Maîtrise en traductologie
Glendon Hall 214
Collège universitaire Glendon
2275, avenue Bayview Toronto, Ontario
Toronto (Ontario)
M4N 3M6 CANADA
Phone: (416) 487-6811
Email: jangoh@glendon.yorku.ca
or Graduate Admissions Office
York University
P.O. Box GA2300
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3J 1P3 CANADA
Tel.: (416) 736-5000

Please consult the application material provided by the Graduate Admissions Office for deadlines.

To be eligible to be considered for admission to the master’s program, students must have successfully completed:

A. An Honours BA (i.e., four-year degree) or equivalent in Translation with a minimum of a “B” average in the last two years of full-time equivalent study, including:
a. course(s) in terminology and documentation
b. a course in translation theory
c. a minimum of six credits in translation practice courses.

Note: If an applicant is missing one (exceptionally two) of the required three-credit courses, he/she will be required to take it concurrently with graduate courses.

OR

An honours degree or equivalent in another discipline, with a minimum of a “B” average in the last two years of full-time equivalent study PLUS an average of “B” in the Qualifying Program.

AND

B. Demonstrated competence, to the satisfaction of the Admissions Committee, in two languages, one of which must be English.

AND

C. All applicants except graduates from Canadian translation programs must write and pass an Entrance Examination.

The qualifying program consists of five half-courses (15 credits) offered by the School of Translation at Glendon College. Applicants must pass the qualifying program entrance examination and then select courses in consultation with the School.

Two courses are required of all students:

Glendon/Translation 3270 3.0: Theory of Translation/Théorie de la traduction/Teoría de la traducción
Glendon/Translation 2280 3.0: Documentation et terminologie/Documentation and Terminology (French/English section) or Documentation and Terminology (non-language-specific section)

The other three courses are chosen in consultation with the Chair of the School of Translation. As Glendon College offers programs in English<>French and English<>Spanish translation, the choice of courses will depend on the student’s language combination, academic background, and translation-related interests. A set of courses is also available for students with other language combinations.

In addition to the two courses above, qualifying program students will select three courses from the following:

Glendon/Translation 2250 3.0: Comparative Stylistics/Stylistique comparée (bilingual)
Glendon/Spanish 3550 3.0: Comparative Stylistics for Spanish-English Translation
Glendon/Translation 2210 3.0, 2220 3.0 AND/OR 3210 3.0, 3220 3.0, 4235 3.0 (English<>French translation practice courses)
Glendon Spanish 3545 3.0 AND/OR Glendon/Spanish/Translation 4910 3.0, 4915 3.0, 4920 3.0 (English<>Spanish translation practice courses)
Glendon/Translation 4250 3.0: Techniques of Revision in Translation/Techniques de la révision en traduction
Glendon/Translation/Humanities 4636 3.0: History, Societies & Translation I (writing-intensive)
Glendon/Translation/Humanities 4638 3.0: History, Societies & Translation II (writing-intensive)
Glendon/Translation/Coms 2902 3.0: Opinion, Argument: Rhetoric for Academic Settings (writing-intensive)
Any other writing-intensive 3.0 credit course taught in English at Glendon College.

To register in these courses, students must be admitted to the School of Translation as visiting (non-degree) students.

The qualifying program may require one or more semesters, depending on the candidate’s previous experience in translation and on the number of similar courses he or she may have taken in another university, which may be counted as equivalent. This must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.

Students whose language combination is not EN<>ES or EN<>FR are encouraged to demonstrate that they have taken translation practice courses in their language combination prior to applying to the MA in Translation Studies.

Note: A minimum average of “B” in the qualifying program is required to be considered for admission into the MA Program. Students are advised to consult with the Graduate Program Director well before applying for admission to the MA in Translation Studies. Students must apply for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies upon completion of the qualifying program. Taking the courses required for the qualifying program does not guarantee admission to the MA Program.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts Program

Candidates for the MA degree by thesis must complete four half-courses and write a thesis based on original research. The thesis must be successfully defended at an oral examination.

Candidates for the MA Degree by major research paper must complete six half-courses and submit a major research paper on a well-defined topic. The major research paper is assessed and marked by the student’s research supervisor and by another member of the program.

Candidates for the MA degree by coursework must successfully complete eight half-courses, or equivalent, chosen from those offered by the program.

The MA program offers two types of courses:

  • Research-oriented courses taught in English or French
  • Practical non-language-specific courses taught in English

Although most courses are taught in English, in any given year a course may be offered in either English or French. The language of instruction is clearly indicated and the posting of the description of the course is in that language Written assignments, including the thesis and research paper, may be submitted in either English or French.

Not all courses are offered each year. For courses offered in any particular session, please consult the graduate program office and the
Graduate Program in Translation Studies course schedule website:
http://www.glendon.yorku.ca/mats.

The MA program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall term.

The expected degree completion time for full-time master’s students is two years. For those students who complete degree requirements earlier than 3 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of 3 terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (4 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.