BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS IN MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATION, TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION (HMCTI)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
HTI101	Introduction to Translation and Interpreting	This module equips students with the principles, approaches and techniques of translation and interpretation. Focus will be on theoretical and practical skills on rendering messages across languages and cultures in specific contexts. The skills will build on knowledge on intercultural communication across language and cultural boundaries. At the end of the module, students must be able to produce translation products and perform competent consecutive interpretations in different domains as well as providing inter-language communication solutions.
HTI102	Phonetics and Phonology	The main aim of the module is to introduce students to the principles of phonetics and phonology. The module covers the applied aspects of phonetics and phonology that includes identification and design of models for speech defects and correction, forensic audio analysis, identity profiling and language learning. By the end of the module, students must be able to exhibit skills in speech therapy and audiology, speaker identity and profiling for medical, legal and political domains.
HTI103	Morpho-Syntax	The module covers salient features of language structure that defines linguistic typologies relevant for identifying language identities and boundaries. Examples will be drawn for national and regional languages. The module equips students with skills for analyzing current and historical identities, and migration and settlement patterns that inform socio-cultural and economic, relational and productive activities. These skills will be useful for advising policymakers on mapping language-based solutions.
HTI104	Community Interpreting	This module aims to raise awareness of the roles and responsibilities of a Community Interpreter. It includes issues and skills involved in the interpretation of information about public services in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. The module explores a range of models of interpreting and the possible roles of a liaison/bilateral interpreter, the principles of professional practice, codes of ethics and ethical dilemmas. Using specific public sector fields as case studies (e.g. medical, legal, etc.), the module explores the demands and boundaries of working in these fields, the development of coping strategies, and to apply skills in simulated professional contexts, also reflects on preparing for the interpreting assignment; handling briefing and de-briefing; managing the interpreting situation (and aspects of interpersonal dynamics); and continuing professional development. By the end of the module, the students should be able to work competently professional liaison/bilateral interpreters working in general, business and public sector settings.
HTI105	Semantics and Pragmatics	This module looks at the scientific study of meaning and language use in context. Illustrations will be drawn from national and regional language families. The approaches and methodologies used in the module foreground the concept of language as a resource for human interaction and goal-oriented communication. The module provides skills for offering language solutions to conflict resolution dynamics, negotiation and intercultural interface. The skills will prepare students adequately for higher level practical language-based tasks for development communication.
HTI106	(ALLs/Sign Language/FLs) Language Varieties	The module offers students a comprehensive and cogent study of dialectology and comparative linguistics. The various dialects of the students’ language majors spoken in Zimbabwe and beyond are explored comparatively and extensively in order to highlight the regional variations occurring at phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic and even pragmatic levels. Elements of historical linguistics are also engaged to appreciate the possible historical and geopolitical links that the studied dialects have in common. A balance is struck between theory and practice – making it necessary for students to expose themselves to the different varieties considered as dialects in their language majors. Ultimately, the students are expected to be able to identify the variations found in the dialects of their languages, and to draw language maps indicating where the variations are typically found, through the use of isoglosses and other cartographic features.
HTI201	Introduction to Communication	This module introduces students to the theories and principles of communication from a wide range of perspectives. The evolution of communication theory is examined and foundational principles, such as the communication process, perception, verbal and non-verbal communication and listening are explored. It introduces students to the skills and techniques of effective communication in settings that include: intrapersonal, interpersonal, small-group and public speaking. Students will apply these skills and techniques through practical exercises, and should be able to incorporate them into their translation and interpreting practice. By the end of this module, students should be able to function and communicate more effectively and assertively in public and work environments.
HTI202	Editing	This module focuses on the technical issues involved in editing and publishing, within the context of translation. It equips the students with the skills and technical know-how necessary to critically revise translations for publishing purposes, as well as to confidently and effectively deal with the challenges associated with the job.
HTI203	Lexicography	This module capacitates students with lexicographical skills that include consulting references in order to realise appropriate equivalences, utilising such references for various grammatical information and also for second language learning. Furthermore, students are equipped with the requisite skills of not only utilising lexicographical references like dictionaries, but also the various rubric and protocol involved in the compilation, study and critiquing of such material. The module also promotes students’ dictionary culture and, thereby, exposes them to the numerous technical aspects of their languages and how they contribute to the standardisation of the varieties as well as the broader national language planning goals and language policy crafting by language experts and governments.
HTI204	Language Rights	This module provides students with specialised knowledge about principles of language rights. Students will learn how to apply the principles of equity, empowerment, participation, development and inclusion from the viewpoint of language rights. The module also sensitises students to debates and dilemmas in language rights in relation to translation and interpretation, equity, empowerment, participation, development and inclusion. It also equips students with knowledge of the national, institutional, local, regional and international policies on the language rights as well as tools for critiquing the adequacy of these instruments and policies. This module is designed to foster the development of an understanding of the intricate relationship between language and development, particularly human development. The module stimulates an awareness of the role of language in development from the viewpoint of language use in education, health, economy and governance, among other sectors. It provides students with an awareness of the language and development dialectic in Africa and in Zimbabwe specifically. By the end of the module, the students will be able to assess the inclusion/exclusion of language varieties in different contexts, and lobby through appropriate channels for the recognition of linguistic human rights for affected communities.
HTI205	Terminology and Terminography	This module focuses mainly on the problems of terminological gaps in translation/ interpretation. It examines such challenges as posed by development and innovation in areas of Information and Technology, specialised field terminology, e.g. legal, medical, botany, foreign culture, etc., and exposes the student to the various types of term development that can be applied as a problem-solving technique to transcend terminology-related problems of translation/ interpretation. The module is cast in the context of terminology, lexicology, terminography and lexicography. The idea in this module is to demonstrate the relatedness of translation and the identified disciplines and the role of translators in the development of African languages. Ultimately, the students will be able to apply their acquired terminographical skills in building electronic term banks and glossaries that can be used in specific contexts where they work or as consultants for other practitioners.
HTI206	Court Interpreting	This module equips students with comprehensive knowledge of the infrastructures, systems, policies, procedures and other important elements of the courts in Zimbabwe, the region as well as internationally. It provides a holistic understanding of the nature of subjects in the court and, as such, the special role of the language mediator in the successful execution of cases and, thus, ensuring justice delivery within the various courts from the lowest level up to the highest court of appeal. The module examines the court process as a whole: evidence, jurisdiction, criminal and civil court procedure, elements of a crime and many other important aspects of the legal system, so as to prepare students to function effectively as professional court translators/interpreters. The module includes practical workplace experience through observation of court interpreters/translators at work, in a variety of court settings as well as through simulation.
HTI207	Religious Text Translation	This module provides an in-depth understanding of the dynamics, principles, theories and methods of the translation and interpretation of religious texts. It further stimulates an awareness of the approaches, strategies and challenges associated with this. It also develops and consolidates students’ research skills in religious texts translation and interpreting. Emphasis is placed on the importance of examining these issues in a practical, well-reasoned and analytical way. Students are equipped with the skills required to function effectively as professional religious text translators/interpreters. This module includes practical workplace experience by observation of a religious text interpreter/translator at work in a variety of field settings, as well through simulation.
HTI208	Sign Language Interpreting	This module trains students with a background of Sign Language competence to interpret spoken discourse into Sign Language and vice-versa. The module equips Sign Language speakers with the requisite skills of interpreting between Sign Language and spoken language(s) with high levels of accuracy, so as to reduce or eliminate the disenfranchisement of the deaf and hard of hearing where access to information is concerned. This will promote the deaf and hard of hearing people’s access to health, education, justice, information, among other rights.
HTI209	Translation and Interpreting for the Media	This module seeks to develop translation and interpreting skills for media related work, enabling them to work seamlessly with other media personnel trained in journalism, human resources and other disciplines feeding strategically into the media industry. As media essentially relies on language for information dissemination and general operations for programming, publishing and news and current affairs, it is paramount that experienced language mediators be found in the ranks for effective mass media interactions and otherwise, and it is in this light that this course is designed to equip a language mediation student with knowledge and skills specifically suited for the media industry at its various levels.
HTI301	Language Planning, Policy and Management	The module is designed to give students an informed perspective on the relationship between language planning, policy, management, politics of language and language activism in Africa in general and Zimbabwe specifically. It introduces and trains students in matters involving language use and allocation for general and specialised functions at the various domains, and orients their appreciation of languages as resources for not only communication, but also development and progress. Students who take this module will be ready to tackle and help deal with the vast problems that governments have had to find themselves grappling with as a consequence of multilingualism within and across nations.
HTI309	Interpreting Practicum 1	The main aim of this module is to provide students with supervised hands-on experience in interpreting, integrating and consolidating the skills and procedural awareness that students have acquired. The module familiarises students with interpreting activities and processes in different domains: legal, health, education, commerce, politics, religion, amongst others. It allows them practical experience – through simulation and problem-solving exercises, class discussions, journalling, and field visits – in modes of interpreting such as consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation in different settings. Through targeted interpreting practice, they will be better-prepared for examinations in national, regional and international interpreters’ accrediting bodies. By the end of this module, students should be able to effectively interpret texts in different domains; conduct individual and collective research on a variety of topics, and develop relevant interpreting materials based on their experiences in the field.
HTI311	Professional, Cultural and Ethical Issues in Translation and Interpreting	This module is designed to thoroughly familiarise students with relevant professional, cultural and ethical issues associated with translation and interpretation in various specific fields and settings: legal, broadcasting/ media, commercial, medical, conference, publishing, amongst others. Through simulation exercises, class discussions, video exposure to work-related scenarios and field visits to real-life professional settings, students learn about the ethical behaviour and conduct, etiquette and cultural sensitivity expected of a professional translator/ interpreter in different domains. By the end of this module, students should be fully aware of the cultural demands, procedures and protocols associated with professional translation and interpreting, and able work and conduct themselves appropriately in any of these environments.
HTI303	Educational Interpreting	This module is designed to foster the development of an understanding of the dynamics, principles, theories and methods of educational interpreting through use of various models and case experiences. It covers the approaches, strategies and challenges of educational interpreting. Emphasis is put on the importance of examining these issues in a practical, well-reasoned and analytical way. Teaching methods include practical workplace experience by observation of educational interpreters at work in a variety of field settings as well through simulation. By the end of the module, students will be able to work as educational interpreters for their language majors and in various subjects and specialties.
HTI302	Language Technology	This module is aimed at raising the awareness and aptitude in the students’ ability to relate and work with language issues within the framework of ICT. It is designed to bring language practice and management studies to the fore in matters ICT, with the goal of promoting growth and understanding in the scientific and technological potential that language studies have in issues of development and education. This will give the students technical know-how of specialised language operations including Natural Language Processing, Computational Linguistics and programming of various computer packages and development of applications such as translation and interpreting software, electronic language corpora, lexicography and terminology management systems, speech technology, among others. Expertise for training in computer systems and programming will be drawn from the Department of Computer Science, and students will benefit from field enquiry and internship placement in organisations dealing with language and artificial intelligence, machine learning, language applications, corpora development and management, search engines, mobile phone and computer operating systems, translation software and speech technologies.
HTI304	HTI304	This module focuses on interpreting within the diplomatic context, and entails units covering diplomatic etiquette for interpreters in various diplomatic settings. This includes dressing, diplomatic protocol, deportment, public speaking, main tenets of major cultures of the world, among other critical procedures of international diplomacy. Because of the variegated nature of the module, it will include guest lectures by diplomacy experts from and field visits to the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy, Zimbabwe Military Academy, Zimbabwe Defence University, President’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and various embassies in Zimbabwe. Protocols of the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and their related organs will be studied with a view to prepare students for careers in those environments. By the end of the Module, students will be competent in diplomatic etiquette and protocol procedures that are as equally important as linguistic and language mediation proficiency, coupled with eloquence and the understanding of major international cultures that inform such protocols.
HTI305	Corpus Linguistics	This module seeks to equip students with skills of compiling, developing and managing a corpus in applied language practice. Students will engage in ongoing corpus-building and dictionary-making projects so as to give them practical field experience in carrying out sophisticated language researches for different African indigenous languages. By the end of the module, students will be able to work effectively as language researchers, documenters/curators, research assistants, team leaders and editors for big corpus-based projects, thus producing tangible products such as corpora for endangered and underdeveloped languages, electronic lexicons, dictionaries and other material that is useful for language preservation and development through documentation, elaboration and digitalisation. Such data can also be used by other language technologists for more advanced language operations.
HTI306	Literary Translation	This module aims to introduce students to and familiarize them with various problems, strategies and issues involved in the translation of literary texts from Chinese, German, Portuguese, French, Kiswahili, Ndebele, Shona and Tonga into English and vice versa. This will be achieved through the study and practical translation of selected source-language and target-language texts in different literary genres. The module integrates theory learnt in related courses with practice but does not require prior knowledge of literary translation. Although most translation strategies and techniques associated with non-literary translation such as transfer between languages, cultures and contexts, fidelity, precision, inventiveness, etc, apply, literary translation calls for specific skills that fall into the domain of stylistic and poetic creativity. The objective of this module is to therefore explore and develop these particular skills through the intensive practice of literary translating.
HTI307	Machine Translation	Machine Translation deals with the use of computers and other technological tools to translate human languages (for example, from Arabic to English). This is a rapidly developing field that enables millions of people to translate Web Documents each day. Translators have started using Machine Translation in order to complement the human translation process. This module deals with all aspects of using and evaluating a range of widely used machine translation systems, which include: Systran, Systran, ScanSoft, and Sakhr. SDL, WebSphere, AltaVista Babel Fish, WorldLingo. In addition to exploring these systems, the module will cover practical aspects such as using Machine Translation systems, evaluation and the long-standing question of the utility of Machine Translation systems in translation. This course therefore has important implications for translators in Zimbabwe in beyond.
HTI308	Medical Interpreting and Translation	This module is aimed at addressing the communication challenges that are found in most health service centres and providers. The module covers issues to do with health-related information dissemination through written media (the translation component), patient-provider interactions (the interpreting component) and many other elements to do with the professional facilitation of communication aimed at enabling effective health service delivery within the country and beyond. The broader purpose, ultimately, is to develop a pool of professional language mediators who can fill the yawning gap that currently exists in the health sector as far as effective patient-practitioner interaction is concerned.
HTI380	Work Related Learning	Students shall engage on activities whose cumulative effect is to satisfy requirements for industrial attachment. They go into communities and map (document) heritage resources in those communities. The record will be used by investors, rural and town planners. Students are expected to come up with databases of the heritage recorded with an articulation of its value/significance to the community documented. These will be presented in the form of a seminar with the final submission being a written report.
HTI310	Translation and Editing Practicum 1	This module aims to provide the students with supervised, practical experience in translation and editing in order to improve their competence as future professionals by working on authentic translation and editing projects relating to the legal, health, education, commercial, political, religious domains, amongst others. By exposing students to different translation problems associated with these domains, it affords them the opportunity, through practical translation and editing exercises, to enhance their language competence, as well as their individual and collective analytical and problem-solving skills. In the course of translation and editing practice, students should also contribute to the development of electronic terminological databases and glossaries. By the end of this module, students should exhibit effective translation and editing skills and be able to contribute to solving communication problems in different domains at a national, regional and international level.
HTI401	Translation and Editing Practicum 2	This module is a sequel to the Translation and Editing 1 and provides students with further practical experience in translation and editing by working on authentic translation and editing projects. It focuses on the practical part of translation and editing, assuming the student already has a good command of the language and is familiar with the proper use of dictionaries and, where appropriate, databases. Skills acquired in this module will enable students to offer world class and professional translation and editing services, as well as develop new skills in the discipline.
HTI409	Interpreting Practicum 2	This module provides students with further practical interpreting skills by working on authentic interpreting projects. It merges the theory and practice of interpretation and provides opportunities for practical experience in the interpreting modes necessary for working in different settings. By the end of the module, students will be equipped with good interpretational skills for both private and public sectors locally and internationally, using their cultural knowledge to render an accurate and meaningful interpretation.
HTI403	Conference Interpreting	The module provides training in both modes of conference interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous interpretation) and furnishes students with the competencies of interpreting modes practiced in conference setting, including interpreting booths with electronic equipment. Skills acquired in this module enable students to become experts in the theory and practice of conference interpretation, as well experts in cross-cultural understanding and communication. Domain expertise is also built in areas such as politics, economics, science, and technology.
HTI404	Parliament Interpreting	The module introduces students to parliament interpreting and translation. It is designed to integrate and consolidate the skills and procedural awareness that students have acquired in other courses to understand parliament interpreting and translation. It merges the theory and practice of interpreting and provides opportunities for advanced practical experience in the interpreting modes necessary for working in Parliament settings. The module offers more targeted translation and interpreting practice for students so that they can prepare better for the national, regional and international parliament translators and interpreters’ accrediting bodies’ interpreting examinations. By the end of the module, students would have acquired skills that will enable them to fully function as professional interpreters and translators in parliament.
HTI405	Language, Translation and Advertising	This module covers basic fundamentals of Language, Translation and Advertising. With the development of market economy and globalisation, advertisement has become an indispensable part in people’s daily life. The module provides a landscape appreciation of the many problems existing in the translation of advertising materials. Drawing on the various theories of translation of advertisement, this module uses actual case analyses serving as examples to illustrate the relevant issues. Additionally, the module analyses Translation and Advertising using the dimensions of language, culture, and communication. It exposes students to translation skills crucial for working in the area of advertising. With these skills, students should be able to translate audiovisual, print and electronic advertising language materials that match the expected standards of the advertising sector.
HTI406	Translation and Interpreting in the Tourism Sector	This module introduces students to the principles, approaches and techniques of translation and interpretation in the Tourism Sector. The module emphasises the mediation role of translation and interpretation in the tourism sector and the necessity of high-quality translations and interpretation rendering to reach an appropriate communication process with tourists. The module highlights the importance of adequate translations of tourist texts and interpretation during tour guiding and the multiple difficulties of this specialised language area, especially regarding cultural elements, Additionally, it exposes students to some frequent linguistic and pragmatic mistakes found in tourist texts. This knowledge will prepare students to acquire practical skills for developing possible solutions to improve the quality of this kind of specialised translation and interpretation so as to ensure a good relationship between source and target cultures. Focus will be on theoretical and practical skills on rendering written and verbal messages across languages and cultures in the specific context of the Tourism Sector. At the end of the module, students must be able to produce translation products and perform competent simultaneous interpretations in different domains as well as providing inter-language communication solutions that are well adapted for and responding to the needs of the Tourism Sector.
HTI407	Language and Development	The module presents language as an important tool for development. The module introduces the social-scientific and political discussions about language and its consequences, particularly for the development in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It gives opportunity for critical analyses of the expansion of the global market economy, and the importance of language, culture as well as politics. Furthermore, the relations between local, national, and transnational languages are emphasised. Upon completing the course the students are expected to have basic insights into the relationship between development and language, be able to critically analyse the growing role of language as a tool for development, the expansion of the global market economy, the globalisation of language, culture and politics and the relationship between local, national, and trans-national processes; have an orientation of current research issues concerning language, development and globalisation; have some knowledge of different theories of language and development, and pay attention to the global language connections that are important for social and economic development in less developed countries. These skills are crucial for advising policymakers on mapping language-based solutions.
HTI460	Project	The Project is a module of supervised research study agreed and approved by the supervisor and the Departmental Committee. The Project must be about 10,000 words. The thesis covers literature review, the building of theoretical framework, methodology specification, data analysis, and discussion of conclusions and recommendations. The aim of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding and obtain practical experience of the research process and research skills required to undertake a supervised research project. Students will be required to identify relevant information on a topic and critically review the research of others. The students should demonstrate competence in the following areas such as critical appraisal of and interpretation of published literature, use of linguistic approaches to describe translation and interpretation issues, collection and use of data and information to answer a linguistic research question as well as assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of translation and interpretation services, as applicable to their chosen dissertation topic.