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Translation Research
and Instruction Program

Faculty Associates

Anthropology
Straight, H. Stephen

Classical and Near Eastern Studies
Levin, Saul

Comparative Literature
Fynsk, Christopher
Gaddis Rose, Marilyn, Program Director

German
Snyder, William H.
Wells, Lawrence D.

Philosophy
Pensky, Max
Preus, Anthony A.
Ross, Stephen D.

Romance Languages
Cocozzella, Peter
Coates, Carrol F.
LaValva, Rosamaria
Sticca, Sandro
Van Baelen, Jacqueline

Sociology
Wallerstein, Immanuel

Professional
Advisory Council

Doron, Marcia Nita,
Teaneck, New Jersey,
Easton and Company

Glassgold, Peter
Brooklyn, New York
Freelance Editor

Bacopoulou-Halls, Aliki
Athens, Greece
Professor of English
University of Athens

Hartmann, Reinhard R. K.
Exeter, England
Professor of Lexicography
University of Exeter

Peden, Margaret Sayers
Columbia, Missouri
Professor of Spanish, Emerita
University of Missouri

Rodda, Anne
Ithaca, New York
Associate Professor of German
Ithaca College

Schulte, Rainer
Dallas, Texas
Professor of Comparative Literature
University of Texas at Dallas

Teague, Ben
Athens, Georgia
Freelance translator

Weaver, William
Arezzo, Italy
Freelance translator

Wilss, Wolfram
Saarbrücken, West Germany
Professor of Applied Linguistics, Emeritus
Universität des Saarlandes

Undergraduate
Information

The Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) offers a graduate certificate in translation. Undergraduates interested in a career in translation are advised to consult the TRIP director on appropriate preparatory courses. Certain TRIP courses are open to undergraduates meeting the prerequisites.

Graduate Programs

The Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) is the pedagogical division of the Center for Research in Translation (CRIT). It administers the interdisciplinary curriculum and examination which lead to translator certification. Although most students in the program are matriculated in one of the University degree programs, the translation study courses listed below may be taken as a separate track. For degree programs identified as especially suitable for the integration of translator training, see the appropriate sections of the Bulletin (comparative literature MA in translation studies; MA and MAT in Romance languages; MA in social science; MBA with an interdisciplinary concentration; MSEd; comparative literature and English doctoral tracks; several other doctoral program tracks available on an individual basis). Acceptance of these credits toward advanced degrees is up to the individual departments of Harpur College and to the appropriate committees in the other schools.

Certificate Program

Admission

Students pursuing the certificate as a separate track must follow the standard Graduate School matriculation procedures.
I. Program of Courses: Literary
TRIP 572. Translation Workshop: Literary (two semesters) 8 credits
One graduate course in linguistics, language theory, or language history 4 credits
One graduate course in source literature 4 credits
TOTAL 16 credits
II. Program of Courses: Nonliterary
TRIP 573. Translation Workshop: Nonliterary (two semesters) 8 credits
One graduate course in linguistics, language theory, or language history 4 credits
One graduate course in subject area 4 credits
TOTAL 16 credits

BEST (Binghamton Evaluation Scale for Translation)

Student performance is measured through proficiency testing comparable to that of ACTFL/ETS (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Educational Testing Service). Testing begins when the student enters the workshop and continues at regular intervals. Students must perform at level 3 or better both in the workshops and on the final examination before receiving the certificate. This means they can handle formal and informal texts, including "belletristic" texts, without faculty supervision.

Foreign Language Immersion

It is essential that students have an extended period of residence in a foreign language milieu, either prior to or during their translator training program.

Translation Examination

Students may request to take the examination when their course work is essentially completed. At this time the TRIP director, in consultation with appropriate faculty, establishes their examination committees. The individualized examination may be scheduled at the mutual convenience of the candidate and the committee. The examination, from four to six hours in length, has sections on theory and practice, in which the passing grade is B- in theory; A- in practice. The A- is contingent on translating at level 3 or better on the BEST. The examination may be taken twice.

Certification

When students have fulfilled the course requirements and successfully passed the examination above, they are eligible to receive a certificate of translator proficiency, specifying the language combination(s) and subject area(s).

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