OF-407 Specialised translation: technical and medical texts (Autumn 2026)
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Humanities and Education
- Course Leader:
- Jean Nitzke
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- Norwegian, other languages used for translation. Students must work in the language-pair for which they have been admitted to the programme.
- Duration:
- ½ year
Table of contents
The course is connected to the following study programs
Teaching language
Norwegian, other languages used for translation. Students must work in the language-pair for which they have been admitted to the programme.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
After completing the course, the student will have in-depth knowledge about
- the main characteristics of technical and medical texts used in professional communication.
- the main similarities and differences between the two languages the student works with, pertaining to technical and medical texts.
- the main language resources and digital tools that are used by professional translators and writers of technical and medical texts.
Skills
- After completing the course, the student will be able to
- critically assess and edit technical and medical texts written and translated by others (incl. machine translated texts).
- critically assess, select and use different language resources and digital tools while writing or translating technical and medical texts.
- translate a variety of challenging technical and medical texts between the languages in the language pair the student works with.
Contents
In this course, students gain knowledge and skills vital to producing professional translations of texts of a technical and medical nature. The course focuses on research-based knowledge of writing and translation within these fields, and the students are expected to practically apply this to their editing- and translation tasks. Different language resources (like corpora, term banks, standards) and digital solutions for translation, post-editing and working with terminology will be critically assessed and used for practical tasks. An important goal is for the students to gain the skills to find appropriate language resources for use while writing and translating. Further, they can consider what terminology and different linguistic alternatives are best suited for a given communication situation.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching consists of seminars and tutor-guided sessions. The students will work on their assigned translations in groups and apply what they have learnt and discussed in the seminars, tutoring sessions, literature, and further materials. In addition, students will complete and hand in multiple translation and editing group assignments.
Estimated workload: 270 hours.
Examination requirements
Students must hand in and pass seven written assignments and deliver one oral presentation. Further instructions will be specified in Canvas.
Attendance at a compulsory seminar on campus. More information will be given at the start of the semester.
Examinations
Course portfolio containing a selection of the student’s work handed in during the course. The portfolio will consist of three of the translated texts in a revised version and a critical reflective essay, all weighted equally (25% per portfolio element). Detailed information about the portfolio will be given in Canvas. All parts must be assessed as a pass. Grade A to F.
Student evaluation
The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.
Offered as a free-standing course
Yes, if there are places available.
Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course
Same admission requirements apply as for the master's programme in Translation and Professional Communication.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Oct. 15, 2026 2:39:45 PM