Translation and Interpreting Minor

Developments in globalization, international trade, worldwide communication and technology have dramatically increased the demand for qualified translators and interpreters in all realms, especially in business, technology, communication, marketing, advertisement, government, healthcare, social services, national security, international trade, and law. The current demand for translation and interpreting professionals outweighs the supply available. This program will provide students the background in theory, technical resources, research skills, and literary and cultural competency that are necessary to communicate in more than one language and in written and oral form.

Successful translators and interpreters work for an agency, as independent contractors, or as part of a larger team in national or international organizations, institutions, or associations. Upon completion of the minor, students will be ready to use their inter-cultural and inter-linguistic skills for professional purposes in institutional, academic, or other professional contexts.

Admission

Students who wish to declare this minor should be majoring in either Hispanic Literatures and Cultures or Hispanic Linguistics and should not have declared a different minor in the department. Approval by the department is required. Students can declare the minor after completing SPAN 300 with a grade of C or better by scheduling an appointment to meet with the program coordinator.

Requirements

In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must:

  • take at least nine hours of their minor "core" requirements at UNC–Chapel Hill
  • earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the minor core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for minor or specific courses.

For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.

Core Requirements
SPAN 300Grammar and Structure of Spanish 1, 2, H3
SPAN 369Introduction to Translation 13
SPAN 351Spanish Interpretation I 13
SPAN 370Spanish Translation II 13
or SPAN 352 Spanish Interpretation II
One elective course numbered SPAN 330 or above, excluding SPAN 401, SPAN 402, SPAN 404, SPAN 405, SPAN 414, SPAN 415, and SPAN 601 13
Total Hours15
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

1

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all five (5) courses (15 credit hours) in the minor.

2

Prerequisite, SPAN 261

Sample Plan of Study

Major in Hispanic Linguistics and a Minor in Translation and Interpreting

This plan assumes a placement of SPAN 203 on the foreign language placement test. Student placement and plans may vary.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
SPAN 203 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Intermediate Spanish I H 3
SPAN 204 Intermediate Spanish II H 3
Hours 6
Sophomore Year
SPAN 261
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Spanish in Context (major and minor) H
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Spanish in Context for Heritage Learners
3
SPAN 300 Grammar and Structure of Spanish (major and minor) H 3
Hours 6
Junior Year
SPAN 360
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (major)
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
3
SPAN ---Elective course #1 (major) 3
SPAN 351 Spanish Interpretation I (minor) 3
SPAN 369 Introduction to Translation (minor) 3
SPAN ---Elective course #2 (major and minor) 3
Hours 15
Senior Year
SPAN 376
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Spanish Phonetics and Phonology (major)
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Spanish Phonetics and Phonology
3
SPAN 414
Languages of Spain I (major)
or Languages of the Americas I
or Beginning Accelerated Brazilian Portuguese I
3
SPAN 370
Spanish Translation II (minor)
or Spanish Interpretation II
3
SPAN ---Elective course #3 (major) 3
SPAN ---Elective course #4 (major) 3
Hours 15
Total Hours 42
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

Major in Hispanic Studies and a Minor in Translation and Interpreting

This plan assumes a placement of SPAN 203 on the foreign language placement test. Student placement and plans may vary.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
SPAN 203 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Intermediate Spanish I H 3
SPAN 204 Intermediate Spanish II H 3
Hours 6
Sophomore Year
SPAN 261
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Spanish in Context (major and minor) H
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Spanish in Context for Heritage Learners
3
SPAN 301
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis (major) H
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Literary and Cultural Analysis for Heritage Learners
3
Hours 6
Junior Year
SPAN 300 Grammar and Structure of Spanish (minor) H 3
SPAN 3--Cultural diversity course #1, SPAN 338, SPAN 340, SPAN 344 (major and minor) 3
SPAN 371 Studies in Spanish Literature (major) 3
SPAN 369 Introduction to Translation (counts as specialized course #1 in major and required in minor) 3
SPAN 351 Spanish Interpretation I (minor) 3
Hours 15
Senior Year
SPAN 373 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Studies in Latin American Literature (major) 3
SPAN 3--Cultural diversity course #2, SPAN 338, SPAN 340, SPAN 344 (major) 3
SPAN ---Specialized course #2 (can overlap with minor if not already satisifed by cultural diversity requirement) 3
SPAN ---Specialized course #3 (major) 3
SPAN 370
Spanish Translation II (minor)
or Spanish Interpretation II
3
Hours 15
Total Hours 42
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

Special Opportunities

See the program page here for special opportunities.

Department of Romance Studies

Visit Program Website

238 Dey Hall, CB# 3170

(919) 962-2062

Interim Program Director, Translation and Interpreting Minor

Hélène de Fays

hdefays@email.unc.edu

Chair

Ellen Welch

erwelch@email.unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Amy Chambless

achamble@email.unc.edu