Professional Translation Conversion Course (Pre-DipTrans)
Get translator certification through our foundation course. The Professional Translation Conversion Course (pre-DipTrans) is designed for linguists who don’t consider themselves advanced translators.
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About the Translation Conversion Course
Foundation course (pre-DipTrans) for linguists who don’t consider themselves advanced translators
Format
Level
Timing
Languages
Spanish to English
French to English
This foundation translation course is designed for native English speakers working from French or Spanish. It’s the right choice for you if you have less than one year of full-time professional translation experience. The progression from this course is our advanced DipTrans preparatory course. If you’re a native French or Spanish speaker with a proficient level of English, then you could use this course to improve your reverse translation skills.
Course format
The course format works from two angles. On the one hand, it introduces you to the practice of professional translation. To do this, the modules progress through the various stages of the translation process: from text analysis, through drafting and editing, to proofreading and quality assurance. For native English speakers with rusty French or Spanish, it’ll also give you a chance to re-familiarise yourself with the language. The aim is to give you sufficient grounding in translation to enable you to progress on to our advanced course and the DipTrans exam.
What’s more, the course modules follow a professional translation commission, from quoting and accepting an order, through CAT tools and terminology management, to translation delivery, invoicing and post-delivery issues. The aim here is to help you build confidence and understand what a professional freelance translator does.
Course progression
The progression from this pre-DipTrans introductory course is to our Advanced Translation Course with DipTrans preparation. That’s why the texts you’ll translate are past papers from the DipTrans exam: general (journalism), technology, business, literature, science, social science and law.
What you’ll have on completion
Once you’ve completed this foundation course in professional translation, you’ll be more confident in your language and translation abilities. You’ll be a better writer in English and more aware about style and the technical elements of written English. You’ll also be a member of a network of translators through our private Facebook group.
Speakers of English as a second language
If French or Spanish is your first language, the course is a solution if you’re proficient in English and are looking for a way to take your writing skills up to a more professional level. Using translation as the method, the personal feedback will help you progress enormously in the standard of your written English. It’s a great choice for professional translators who need to prepare for the reverse translation section of a translation exam. One example is the official traductor jurado exam run by the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Spain.
Course Syllabus
Start Here Section
Module 1. The Translation Commission.
Theoretical Aspect: analysing a text for translation.
Assessed assignment: 600-word general translation (DipTrans past paper).
Extra self-assessed practice: 600-word general translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Module 2. Starting Your Translation
Theoretical Aspect: drafting a translation.
Assessed assignment: 450-word technical translation (DipTrans past paper).
Extra self-assessed practice: 450-word technical translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Module 3. Terminology
Theoretical Aspect: checking a translation.
Assessed assignment: 450-word business translation (DipTrans past paper).
Extra self-assessed practice: 450-word business translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Module 4. Editing
Theoretical Aspect: early and late editing.
Assessed assignment: 450-word literary translation (DipTrans past paper)
Extra self-assessed practice: 450-word literary translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Tutorial 1
Module 5. Proofreading
Theoretical Aspect: how to proofread.
Assessed assignment: 450-word science translation (DipTrans past paper)
Extra self-assessed practice: 450-word science translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Module 6. Quality Assurance
Theoretical Aspect: translating names.
Assessed assignment: 450-word social science translation (DipTrans past paper).
Extra self-assessed practice: 450-word social science translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Module 7. Delivery
Theoretical Aspect: correcting someone else’s work.
Assessed assignment: 450-word legal translation (DipTrans past paper)
Extra self-assessed practice: 450-word legal translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Module 8. Post-delivery
Theoretical Aspect: dealing with customer changes to your translation.
Assessed assignment: 600-word general translation (DipTrans past paper).
Extra self-assessed practice: 600-word general translation (DipTrans past paper) and quiz.
Tutorial 2
Bonus Materials
Gwenydd Jones
Lead Tutor Spanish to English
Freelance translator & translator trainer
Chartered Linguist
DipTransIoLET
MA Legal Translation
MA Translation Studies
DELE C2 (Spanish proficiency)
BA Hispanic Studies and French
Sarah Bowyer
Lead Tutor French to English
Freelance translator and translator trainer
DipTransIoLET
MA (Cantab) French and Spanish
PgDL (10 yrs as a solicitor prior to moving into translation)
Private Facebook Group
Certificate and Logo
Well-Planned Tutorials
Conversion Course Price
EUR 849
Money-Back Guarantee, instalment option
- VAT is not applicable to this course.
- Money-back guarantee. If you complete Module 1, get your feedback and then decide you don’t want to continue, you have 30 days from when you signed up to get your money back.
Flexible start dates
Enrol when you want. Course closed Jan, Jul, Aug & Dec. View calendar.
Plenty of time
Go at your own pace. Two years to complete.
Flexible, 100% online.
View course brochure.
Course FAQ
What are the course dates?
I don't know whether I need the Conversion Course or the Advanced Course
Ask yourself this simple question: do you consider yourself an advanced translator? If not, start with the Conversion Course as it’ll help you learn faster and more effectively.
I have a language degree and my degree included a module in translation. Should I do this or the advanced course?
This course is the right choice for you. The advanced course is designed for proficient working translators with at least one year of on-the-job experience. Your previous studies will help you get off to a good start, but you will need to dedicate more time to learning how to think like a professional translator before you’ll be ready to take on the advanced course.
I’m a native English speaker without much/any translation experience. Is the course suitable for me?
Our past students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are resident all over the world. Some are in their twenties and others are in their sixties. Many of our past students have worked as TEFL teachers, copywriters, editors and journalists. Some are recent graduates while others have come from unrelated industries looking for a complete career change or options to enable them to work from home after having children. There is also a fair number of working translators who want to study translation and get the DipTrans to improve their knowledge, career prospects and standing in the translation industry.
Spanish/French is my first language and I have a proficient level of English. Is the course suitable for me?
Yes, our aim would be to help you improve your written English at a professional level through reverse translation. The course would suit native French and Spanish speakers from anywhere in the world. Ask for a level test if you’re unsure.
If you’re an experienced translator, then you’ll likely be familiar with some of the material covered in the modules. However, the level of the translations is probably right for you given that you’ll be working into your second language. If your English is comparable to a native speaker, then you may prefer the Advanced course. Consult us if you need guidance.
Where can I find more reviews?
You can also check out the recommendations section on Gwenydd Jones’s LinkedIn profile, where some past trainees have written independent reviews.
You can also see reviews about Gwenydd Jones as a trainer on her trainer review page on ProZ.com, where numerous webinar attendees have commented.
If you’d like to email a past trainee for a reference, then we can ask if someone would be willing to assist you.
What would be the progression after this course?
This course will put you on the right road towards the DipTrans or MA qualifications.
You may find this article of interest: “A Perplexed Translator’s Guide to the MA in Translation Studies and DipTrans“.
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