Happiness is when they understand you

Linguistics University of Nizhny Novgorod, International Research Laboratory “Theoretical and Applied Issues in Translation Studies”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

^* Corresponding author: o.v.petrova/nn@gmail.com

Abstract

Today translation experts agree that a translation teacher should be a practicing translator, aware of modern translation studies, having methodological knowledge and pedagogical skills, including the knowledge of translation didactics. A survey shows that in Russian universities there are practically no teachers with a degree in translation or those who have completed a specialized professional retraining program as a translation teacher. Thus, none of them has the full range of competences required to prepare translators who fully meet the requirements of the current translation industry. To change this situation, it is necessary to develop and implement special programs that allow translation teachers to supplement their education. These programs can be implemented in two formats. Firstly, there can be two different master’s degree programs: for those with a bachelor’s degree in translation and those with a bachelor’s degree in foreign language teaching. The program for the former should include more psychological and pedagogical disciplines, while the program for the latter should focus on translation. Secondly, it can be long-term courses of specialized professional retraining for translation teachers with two different sets of disciplines depending on their degree. Within the above-mentioned programs, special attention should be paid to the course of translation didactics.