To continue the thread about the distinction between translators and interpreters, I’d like to examine translator-/interpreter-training programs.
I am currently enrolled in a program that concentrates solely on translation. While it is pretty self-evident that translation and interpreting are different tasks that require different (though sometimes overlapping) sets of skills, there are programs that combine the two in their curriculum. However, it’s safe to conclude that the current trend is to separate various language occupations.
To name just one, my Russian university originally offered a degree called ‘Linguist. Translator/Interpreter’ (it’s one word in Russian). Later, it started offering separate Linguistics and Teaching/Translation degrees. In 2005, when I started my undergraduate education, the programs were broken down into Translation, Teaching, and Linguistics. That being said, future translators still did both translation and interpreting.
What’s the situation like where you live? Are translation and interpreting taught together or separately, and do you have choice on the matter?
Maria Guzenko 