Formación de profesionales de la traducción con arreglo a las demandas del mercado

Abstract

This study is designed to evaluate the two academic translation training master’s programs at two local public universities in Palestine in view of burgeoning market demands. The study reveals the weaknesses and strengths in both training programs, a step which is believed to be necessary to evaluate trainers’ current practices and provide formative data about these programs and programs operating in similar contexts. To achieve this objective, the modules of the courses, the teaching and assessment methods and the challenges facing implementing and developing the curricula are all studied, bearing in mind the job market. Two questionnaires were also administered to students and translation professionals. The questionnaires address the current market demands for translator training, the performance level of novice translators, the nature of the courses and the challenges that are likely to face developing and implementing the curricula, and the methods of teaching and assessment. The study findings reveal that there are significant shortcomings in the curricula, namely the theoretical training is overemphasized and stakeholders’ involvement in the review and design of the translation program curricula remains significantly undervalued. Finally, the study identifies the emerging translation text genres that occupy a significant niche in the local translation market.