M. Phil in Literary Translation
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that people have asked about the new MPhil in Literary Translation at Trinity College Dublin.
-What are the fees for the Literary Translation MPhil?
EU Fee = €5,835 (2013/14)
Non-EU Fee = €11,585 (2013/14)
-Is this degree intended for people who are going into academia?
The degree could be a stepping stone for future academics, as it has the potential to lead on towards doctoral studies in either Translation or Comparative Literature (in which we offer a separate Master's degree). Another constituency is people who want to engage in literary translation for its own sake, much as one might do the MPhil in Creative Writing .
-What kind of employment opportunities are there in literary-translated-related fields?
As regards employment opportunities, there are almost no staff translators involved in literary translation. Nearly all literary translators do it on a freelance basis, although they may have other work , including non -literary translating work, of a more permanent or lucrative kind. There are however some "related" jobs in areas such as book publishing or arts administration.
-Are there any Irish publishers at the moment who are publishing foreign authors' works in translation?
Irish publishers produce very little work translated into English, apart from poetry and occasional religious books. The scene is livelier for translations into Irish. But an English language translator is not limited to Irish publishers: English firms like Harvill, Dedalus and Serpent's Tail have been quite active in the field, and the European publishing industry is extremely open to books translated from English.
-Who does the translations of Irish authors’ works that are on display at the Irish Writers’ Centre ? Are these translators all members of the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association Who establishes the link between literary translators and foreign publishers?
These books are funded through ILE - Ireland Literature Exchange . They are translated by foreign translators, some of whom live in Ireland and are members of the ITIA. The procedure is that a foreign publisher acquires the translation rights, and then approaches ILE to subsidise the translation process.
-If I do a translation master’s, what would be the likelihood of my getting stuck translating bureaucratic edicts on raw milk cheese production...?
You would be so lucky if you got work translating directives on raw milk cheese production that you might never want to translate anything else again. It is much better paid than literary work. Sometimes, you even get to keep the samples. In fact, many successful literary translators also do some other translation work for their bread-and-butter (& cheese).
The main motivation for doing a one-year Master's in a literary field has to be sheer interest. You would meet some very stimulating fellow-students, some of whom are already working in related fields, and a cross-section of Trinity academics (most of whom are published translators) from a variety of Departments. We have planned the course carefully to introduce students to the practical demands and the literary and cultural issues of translation, and there will be plenty of new skills to be developed and new ideas to be taken on board. Taking the Literary Translation master's course should be both an intellectual and a creative experience.
-Why come to Dublin to study literary translation? Why not go to Continental Europe?
There’s nothing wrong with studying in Continental Europe, and in fact we are building contacts with some of the leading translation faculties in various countries. If you take Trinity College Dublin as your base you will find a particularly well organised university system, a disciplined programme of learning, access to very good library and computer facilities, and a much wider range of languages than are available in most of the world’s universities. Then there is our Library, stocked with over four million books including a vast amount of translated literature. Trinity College Dublin has a centuries-old tradition of learning, and a vibrant student community with a wide range of societies and activities. Our campus is a place of great visual and historical interest. The Trinity experience is not confined to one course or department. Read more on the International Student Affairs pages .
-What’s it like to live in Dublin?
Dublin is one of Europe's most engaging capitals, with a wide range of entertainment and a well developed cultural life, including famous theatres, galleries, museums, a good concert hall and numerous pubs and cafés. Trinity is right in the middle of the city, close to Grafton Street , the river Liffey, and Temple Bar.
-Is it easy to visit other European destinations?
It is easy to visit many other European destinations from Dublin. Among other airlines, the two Irish carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair are now offering a vast network of Euroepan routes at much lower fares than were available in the past.