“Translation thesis”

its aims and methods

Abstract

“Translation thesis” refers to a form of a Master’s thesis in a translation program, which generally consists of a translation of an extensive length of text accompanied by the translator’s theoretical commentary. This article discusses the main purposes and methods of completing a translation thesis, presents as an example the practice of supervising translation theses at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), and suggests some guidelines for implementing the option of a translation thesis. The benefits of completing a translation thesis are laid out from the perspectives of developing translator competences as the goal of translator education, and are examined through a review of feedback from MIIS graduates on their experience writing translation theses. The translator competences examined include the abilities to manage a major translation project, to apply meta-language to analyze translation problems and justify their solutions, and to make use of information resources and translation tools.