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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Translation Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86106  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Translation Studies 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Language 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The competencies captured in this qualification will allow the learner to pursue careers as expert translators or interpreters. The core competencies captured in this qualification will provide the learner with a specialised understanding and practical knowledge of editing, and either translation or interpretation. Further, learners will be able to select learning areas related to computer assisted translation, Bible translation, inter-cultural communication, lexicography or literary translation.

After completion of this qualification the learners that chose translation as a specialisation will be able to:
  • Translate from one language into another.
  • Translate various genres of commercial, technical and creative texts.
  • Evaluate translation products.
  • Annotate own translations.

    The learner who chooses interpreting as a specialisation will be able to:
  • Interpret from one language to another.
  • Interpret simultaneously.
  • Interpret consecutively.
  • Do sight interpreting.

    All learners will complete a research assignment which will focus on research skills.

    The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Conducting independent research using the relevant methodology and techniques in a particular area of translation or interpretation studies.
  • Editing translated/interpreted texts using knowledge of the source and target language.
  • Translating different types of texts from the source into the target language.
    OR
  • Interpreting different types of texts from the source into a target language.

    Rationale:

    In a multi-lingual society, translation, interpreting and editing skills are important to facilitate dialogue and communication across cultural divides. Bachelor of Arts Honours: Translation Studies, NQF Level 8 meets the needs of a multitude of sectors by providing language practitioners who are specialists in translation/interpreting and editing, and who are therefore able to facilitate dialogue and communication across cultural divides.

    The broader society will benefit from this qualification in that the qualification introduces opportunities for inter-disciplinary research in terms of lexicography, computer assisted translation, Bible translation, inter-cultural communication and literary translations.

    The typical leaner attempting this qualification will have completed a cognate Bachelor's Degree in the Arts at NQF Level 7 with a major in a language. This qualification will allow the learner access to further learning in a Master's Degree in the same or a related field, at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The knowledge, skills and cognitive ability demonstrated in a cognate qualification at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

    Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the admission requirements.

    Access to the Qualification:

    There is open access to this qualification for learners who have completed a Bachelor of Arts at NQF Level 7, with a major in a language. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    To be awarded this qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 120 credits at NQF Level 8.

    Learners are required to complete the following three compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 to the value of 50 credits:
  • Generic Editing, 10 credits.
  • Editing, 10 credits.
  • Research Assignment, 30 credits.

    Learners are then to choose one of the following specialisations at NQF Level 8 to the value of 40 credits each:

    Interpreting Specialisation:
  • Interpreting, 20 credits.
  • Advanced Interpreting Theory, 20 credits.

    Or

    Translation Specialisation:
  • Translation, 20 credits.
  • Advanced Translation Theory, 20 credits.

    To make up the remaining 30 credits to achieve the qualification learners are required to select two of the following modules to the value of 15 credits each:
  • Bible Translation.
  • Computer Assisted Translation.
  • Inter-cultural communication.
  • Lexicography.
  • Translation of Literary works. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct independent research using the relevant methodology and techniques in a particular area of translation or interpretation studies.

    2. Edit translated/interpreted texts using knowledge of the source and target language.

    3. Translate different types of texts from the source into the target language.

    OR

    4. Interpret different types of texts from the source into the target language.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This programme develops all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria should be applied in an integrated manor for all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Texts are translated/interpreted with precision and insight into their content and context.
  • Phenomena are identified in a relevant domain.
  • Reasoning is applied objectively and critically.
  • Thoughts and solutions are developed from clearly conceptualised ideas.
  • Academic papers and studies are written according to required standards.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessment will be applied continually throughout the learning period. Summative assessment will be applied to ensure the achievement of each learning outcome and/or module. Integrated Assessment will be applied extensively across the modules of learning to ensure the integrated achievement of the Exit Level Outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared against the following international qualifications presented at the following institutions:

    Bachelor of Arts Honours Applied Translation Studies - London Metropolitan University. The following modules form the core of the qualification:
  • Theoretical trends in translation.
  • Characteristics of non-literary translation.
  • Translation tools and the translator.
  • Three individually supervised translation projects.

    The following modules are optional modules:
  • Subtitling.
  • Localisation.
  • Introduction to conference interpreting.

    This qualification compares favourably to the Bachelor of Arts Honours: Translation Studies.

    Bachelor of Arts Honours Translation Theory and Practice - University College London: The programme for the Translation Theory and Practice consists of four taught courses:

    Core Module:
  • Translation studies.

    Language-specific practical translation modules:
  • Advanced translation from French into English.
  • Translation from English into German.
  • Advanced translation from a Scandinavian language into English.
  • Advanced translation from Dutch into English.
  • Advanced Russian.
  • Advanced Modern Hebrew (non-fiction).

    Electronic Communication and Publishing Modules:
  • Principles of computing and information technology.
  • Internet technologies.
  • Electronic publishing.
  • Systems management.
  • Introduction to programming and scripting.
  • Legal and social aspects.
  • Digital resources in the humanities.

    Business and Entrepreneurship Module:
  • Introduction to business and entrepreneurship.

    This qualification compares favourably to the Bachelor of Arts Honours: Translation Studies.

    Bachelor of Arts Honours Translation Studies - The Australian National University.

    The following are core courses to the qualification:
  • Translation across languages.
  • Introduction to the study of language.
  • Semantics.

    The following are elective courses to the qualification:
  • Advanced French.
  • German studies.
  • Readings in South East Asian culture.
  • Translation and critical commentary.
  • Cross cultural communication.
  • Advanced readings in Chinese.
  • Advanced French.
  • Advanced German.
  • Advanced readings in South East Asian cultures.
  • Advanced Japanese.

    This qualification compares favourably to the Bachelor of Arts Honours: Translation Studies. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal as well as vertical articulation to other institutions which may present similar qualifications.

    Horizontal Articulation:

    This qualification may articulate horizontally with any relevant and cognate qualification at NQF Level 8, such as a cognate Honours Degree, or cognate Postgraduate Diploma.

    Vertical Articulation:

    This qualification may articulate vertically with any relevant cognate Master's Degree at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal and external moderation must be conducted by moderators appointed by the provider. Both internal and external moderators must be in possession of an appropriate qualification at least one level above the level of this qualification, as well as relevant and current experience. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.