Translation Work Placement in Slovenia: a key to successful transition to professional workplace settings?

Abstract

Following the Bologna reform, Translation Work Placement, designed as a practical, hands-on experience in translation, has become a compulsory part of EMT translator training at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Combined with courses entailing Situated Learning and professional aspects of translation, it offers an insight into real-life translation practices enabling MA-level trainee translators to gain new skills and experience. This paper explores the work-readiness of future translators from the perspective of Language Service Providers (LSPs) offering work placement to trainees from the University of Ljubljana. Our study investigates the expectations and impressions of Slovene LSPs on trainee translators’ profession-related knowledge, skills and competences. The findings of the survey with LSPs in Slovenia reveal that Translation Work Placement is a contributing factor in bridging the gap between the educational and workplace settings. However, the results of the study also show that in addition to the development of disciplinary knowledge, skills and competences, translator training could place more efforts into the acquisition of those transferable skills and competences which foster professional development and enhance employability in the ever-changing professional workplace settings. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Author Keywords

employability employers’ expectations and perceptions hands-on translation experience Translation Work Placement workplace settings

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Department of Translation, Univerza v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Funding & Acknowledgements

Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS, ARRS

Grant: P6-0215

This work was supported by Slovenian Research Agency [grant number P6-0215 (Core Funding)].

Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS, ARRS

This work was supported by Slovenian Research Agency [grant number P6-0215 (Core Funding)].

References 10 References

1 Al-Batineh, Mohammed, Translator training in the Arab world: are curricula aligned with the language industry?, Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 11, 2-3, pp. 187-203, (2017)

2 Álvarez-Álvarez, Susana, Translation and interpreting graduates under construction: do Spanish translation and interpreting studies curricula answer the challenges of employability?, Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 11, 2-3, pp. 139-159, (2017)

3 Andrews, Jane E., Graduate employability, 'soft skills' versus 'hard' business knowledge: A european study, Higher Education in Europe, 33, 4, pp. 411-422, (2008)

4 Council for Industry and Higher Education, (2008)

5 Astley, Helen, The European Graduate Placement Scheme: an integrated approach to preparing Master’s in Translation graduates for employment, Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 11, 2-3, pp. 204-222, (2017)

6 Bennett, Roger, Employers’ demands for personal transferable skills in graduates: A content analysis of 1000 job advertisements and an associated empirical study, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 54, 4, pp. 457-476, (2002)

7 Berthaud, Sarah, Embedding reflection throughout the postgraduate translation curriculum: using Communities of Practice to enhance training, Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 12, 4, pp. 388-405, (2018)

8 Calvo, Elisa, Translation and/or translator skills as organising principles for curriculum development practice, Journal of Specialised Translation, 16, pp. 5-25, (2011)

9 Calvo, Elisa, Scaffolding translation skills through situated training approaches: Progressive and reflective methods, Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 9, 3, pp. 306-322, (2015)

10 Teaching and Testing Interpreting and Translating, (2010)

Translation Work Placement in Slovenia: a key to successful transition to professional workplace settings?

How to Cite