One Day Courses

Introduction to Subtitling

On this one-day online course you'll learn about the rules of good subtitling practice. You'll also have the opportunity to create subtitles in Ooona (professional subtitling software).
The course will start with a short theoretical introduction to subtitling, covering types of subtitles, the subtitling process, and the linguistic and semiotic dimensions of subtitling. You'll then learn about the technical constraints of subtitling and the conventions applied in interlingual subtitling. You'll analyse given examples and practise preparing subtitles to selected clips using Ooona. The workshop will consist mainly of practical exercises, such as spotting (deciding when subtitles appear and disappear from the screen), condensation and segmentation of subtitles. You'll also translate a fragment of a clip into your native language using Ooona. The workshop will end with a discussion about the professional environment and useful resources.

Videogame Localisation

This one-day online course for translators provides an introduction to video game localisation (a combination of audiovisual translation and software localisation). You'll gain a global overview of the process of localisation of video games. You'll learn strategies for this specific type of translation, and about the main tools and workflows used in the localisation industry. The course is very practical and you'll work with real examples of video games.
In the first part of the course you'll get a quick introduction to the history of the videogames industry and learn how to analyse and categorise the different types of videogames from the point of view of a translator. In the second part of the course you'll learn about the main characteristics and strategies of this specific type of translation, such as the use of transcreation approaches, micro-structure and macro-structure of a videogame, priorities and restrictions that need to be observed. You'll try putting all these strategies into practice with some examples and hands-on exercises. Finally, you'll learn about the main tools and workflows used in the localisation industry, as well as the different types of workflows for the localisation of a videogame.

Introduction to Dubbing

This one-day online practical workshop will focus on the main principles that regulate dubbing, especially translation and dialogue writing. You'll also have the opportunity to watch a demo by your tutor with cloud dubbing, the latest trend in the industry. After a definition of dubbing, the interaction between text and images will be discussed and you'll learn about the technical issues that constrain dubbing in terms of time and space. We'll then look at the different conventions applied in what is considered standard practice in translation for dubbing: take or loop segmentation, dubbing notations, lip-syncing, the emulation of oral discourse All these concepts will be illustrated with examples and clips of dubbings. An insight into the working environment will also be presented and some time will be left at the end for questions. You'll work with clips and will carry out some common tasks involved in dubbing, such as: take or loop segmentation (i.e. segmenting the translation according to different national conventions and layouts), insertion of dubbing notations for voice talents, the omnipresent lip-sync, according to the constraints imposed by the medium.

Audio Description

This one-day course will introduce you to ways of making theatre accessible to people with sight loss using audio description (AD). During the course you'll find out more about audiences for AD, try your hand at describing settings, costumes and characters, learn how to prioritise different sources of visual information and the best way to capture them in words. During the first part of the course you'll listen to a presentation and discuss accessibility in theatres. You'll discuss the rights-based approach to access to content, and the current legislation on accessibility in entertainment contexts. You'll then learn about accessibility as it's realised in theatres, what it involves, what types of access services are used, and what other types of access can be provided. The second part of the course is more practical and involves writing and exercises, including giving a short presentation to the group. You'll be given guidance on how to create scripts for audio description and hear about a range of examples.

Interpreting: Tools, Techniques and Considerations 

This one-day online course offers an introduction to, and insights into, interpreting equipment, techniques and other considerations facing interpreters, especially in the current remote interpreting setting. The course will begin with an overview of the changing environment in interpreting both for freelancers and interpreting service provision companies. You'll then learn about and discuss: physical, mental and technical challenges and practical solutions to these, equipment and its use, how to be prepared and deal with technical difficulties, basic negotiation skills, how to educate clients about potential needs and preparation requirements, and informing them of what could and should be expected, moral dilemmas and ways of resolving them, methods of self-evaluation and client feedback, price-setting and cancellation policies.

Website Localisation

This one-day, online course will introduce you to the notion of website localisation from a translator's point of view. You'll get a chance to use the various tools available and learn how to manage website files for the purpose of localisation.
The first part of the course will focus on the concept of localisation within the translation industry and the idea of multiple target audiences and cultures. You'll learn about the main principles of website localisation and the place it has in the translation industry, as well as the basics of web pages (structure, elements, values, code etc.). During the second part of the course, you'll follow the steps included in website localisation. You'll be introduced to various tools used for text, code and media processing and will practise with a choice of tools available in the lab and online. In the last part of the course, you'll discuss the process of creating web localisation projects using computer aided translation (CAT) tools and perform relevant tasks. You'll have the chance to work in a cloud-based environment and localise websites in three different types of editors.

Trados Studio Advanced 

This one-day course takes you deeper into the possibilities of Trados Studio. You'll learn how to make the most of the software, how to use its functionalities to your benefit and in the least time-consuming ways. In the first part, you will create a complete project and look into details of the process and the components attached to the project. In the second part, you will merge memory and terminology components and perform advanced operations with your data. In the third part, you will go through advanced operations with the online editor, complete data extraction and project transfers from and to other translation tools.

Project Management

This one-day, online course offers a grounding in the basic principles of project management as applied to the translation workflow. You'll take part in practical exercises designed to teach and improve relevant project management skills. It's applicable to both agency and freelance translator contexts. The course will start with an introduction to the basic elements of project management in the context of working as a freelance translator and in an agency setting. You'll be exposed to various workflows from the different industry sectors and discuss project management issues which arise from these. You'll learn about tools which can be helpful both for managing work as a freelance translator and as a project manager in a translation company. Emphasis will be placed on effective communication strategies which support efficient working, whichever side of the vendor/client divide you find yourself on. In a practical session you'll explore strategies and techniques for dealing with problems and issues that can arise as both a translation vendor and a project manager working in an agency. This session will use real-world examples. There'll also be an opportunity to cover the basic principles of client management and dispute resolution.

MemoQ Advanced

This one-day course takes you deeper into the possibilities of memoQ. You'll learn how to make the most of the software, how to use its functionalities to your benefit and in the least time-consuming ways. In the first part, you will create a complete project and look into details of the process and the components attached to the project. In the second part, you will merge memory and terminology components and perform advanced operations with your data. In the third part, you will go through advanced operations with LiveDocs, data extraction and project transfers from and to other translation tools.

Transcreation 

This one-day online course for translators, translation students and researchers will give you a brief introduction to the main characteristics of transcreation. You'll have the opportunity to practice it on real texts, translating texts from English into your language of choice. The workshop will start with an introduction to the main characteristics of transcreation. You'll learn about the definitions of transcreation, the nature of the texts it's used for and their purpose, the type of materials and the process involved. In the practical part of the workshop, you'll transcreate texts from a real-life situation, following clients' briefs and required formats. There will be a focus on the importance of identifying and properly conveying brand values and appropriate tone of voice, based on client and audience expectations.

Theatre Captioning 

This one-day course focuses specifically on captioning for the theatre. In this course, you will learn the basics of captioning through an introduction to the basic parameters of theatre plays and performances that need to be known when planning captioning, the setup of equipment, and the positioning of captions in a theatre. You will also learn how to study and analyse the contents of a theatrical play/performance, how to prepare your surtitles/captions for accessibility and how to rehearse your work in order to prepare for a show.

Subtitling for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

This one-day online course will help you make audiovisual material accessible to D/deaf and hard of hearing people through subtitles. You'll learn about the needs of D/deaf and hard of hearing people, including children, and develop skills for subtitling pre-recorded material for this audience. Topics covered will include a discussion on your audience and deafness, linguistic and technical aspects of subtitling: spotting, line-breaks, editing and reading speed, SDH specific elements: music, sound effects, paralinguistic features, speakers’ identification, legislation and guidelines, present SDH and captioning panorama. There'll also be an introduction to subtitling software Ooona, which you'll use in practical exercises in during the course.

Introduction to MemoQ

This one-day course introduces you to memoQ - one of the latest computer-aided translation (CAT) tools that's gaining ground in the industry. You'll become familiar with the user interface and learn how to use its main functions effectively according to the project you're working on. In the first part of the course, you'll learn about the rationale behind memoQ's structure compared to other CAT software and why it's become so popular with translation companies. You'll also discuss the basics of translation technology and the components of translation software. In the second part of the course, you'll be introduced to the main functions of the software. You'll be guided through processes of translation, as well as building your own resources with memoQ. By completing the tasks that follow this process you'll be able to use memoQ for basic translation projects. In the final part of the course, you'll import and work on different types of files, discuss export solutions, compatibility with other software and term bases, learn about the options available in QA, filtering, alignment, predictive actions, statistics, reports etc.

Introduction to Trados Studio

This one-day course is an introduction the new version of SDL Trados, Studio 2021 - one of the most dominant translation technology tools in the industry. You'll become familiar with the user interface, various actions you can perform for translation and review, ways to organise and export your work effectively. The first part of the course will focus on the rationale behind the structure of Studio 2021 in comparison to previous versions of the software. You'll learn why it's become such a popular tool for translation companies. You'll also discuss the basics of translation technology and the components of translation software. During the second part of the course, you'll be introduced to the main functions of the software and guided through processes of translation. You'll build your own projects and resources. By completing the tasks following these processes you'll be able to use Studio 2021 to create, complete and deliver your projects. In the last part of the course, you'll import and work on different types of files, discuss export solutions, compatibility with other software and term bases, learn about the options available in QA, alignment, terminology and memory management, statistics, reports etc.