Legal Translation аnd Interpreting

Profession

Currently, there is a growing demand for professionals who can provide high-quality translation and interpretation in the administrative and legal field for speakers of different languages. Productive interaction with representatives of different countries in a multilingual environment to meet their public and corporate needs in accordance with the requirements of judicial and law enforcement agencies and other organisations in the system of state power and administration is one of the priorities in terms of ensuring human rights. This activity requires certain interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. The role of a legal translator in this context cannot be overestimated. Graduates who complete the programme receive a master’s degree in linguistics with a specialisation in legal translation and interpreting. This specialisation meets the requirements of the international labour market.

Educational Process

The programme is taught in English. Possible working language pairs include English, Russian, French, Spanish, and German. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean can be offered to students electively. The teachers are native speakers. Students gain knowledge of the theory of language, study the features of language use in various institutional discourses, develop skills in translation and interpretation in the administrative and legal sphere, and study the nuances of intercultural ethics and behavior patterns in the designated area. Moreover, they master computer technologies and digital resources for legal translation (TRADOS, TM, etc.), practice simultaneous translation on professional equipment in interpretation booths. The training process is based on the international standards of translation, which involve quality services, taking into account the requirements of the customer in accordance with the Professional Code of the Translator. The training materials are based on real projects from the legal translation practice and include up-to-date administrative and legal documents of the institutions of the relevant area. Basic foreign language courses in the field of law and legal translation are developed in cooperation with potential employers, including representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, legal departments of companies, etc. Teachers implementing the programme combine teaching at RUDN University with translation, have academic degrees and work as practicing translators and interpreters in international and national organizations (Council of Europe, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, etc.). The training process includes regular seminars with foreign practicing translators. The programme has been peer-reviewed and received positive feedback from the UK Courts and Police Interpreters Association.
Disciplines:
— Legal Translation;
— Legal English Course;
— Translation Practice Course (1st language);
— Legal Documents Translation (1st language);
— Computer-Assisted Tools for Legal Translation;
— Translation and International Law;
— Translation and Civil Law;
— Translation and Criminal Law;
— Interpreting for Court and Police;
— Interpreting Course (English-Russian/Fr/Germ/Sp/Chin).

Practice

Graduates who have completed the programme have the interdisciplinary competencies necessary to coordinate and resolve issues of legal interpreting and translation, high-quality linguistic support for legal and managerial activities in multilingual departments of government and commercial institutions, law firms and international companies. Currently, graduates of the programme work in organizations such as the pharmaceutical company Bionorica, the state company Russian Railways, and other organizations.

Career

The graduates of the programme possess interdisciplinary competencies necessary to coordinate and resolve issues of oral and written legal translation, render high-quality linguistic support for legal and managerial activities in multilingual departments of government and commercial institutions, law firms and international companies. Currently, the graduates are employed in such organizations as Bionorica pharmaceutical company, the state-owned company Russian Railways, etc.