Welcome to LPRA 311

The subject group Language Practice in the School of Languages of the Faculty of Humanities welcomes you to this module. By means of its educational activities, the School of Languages strives towards the integration of existing and new knowledge, thereby guiding students to think in a discerning and critical manner so that they may gain knowledge and understanding of basic and applied language and literary studies and language-practice study. The ultimate aim of this is to train and educate students who can make a unique contribution to the language challenges of the developing South African society.

Teaching Policy of the North-West University

The educational policy of the North-West University emphasises the role of facilitated independent study, in which the lecturer is the facilitator and the student is an active co-worker. You will therefore have to learn to work independently. The lecturer’s function is to guide you in the learning process.

The success of any module depends on your involvement with the presentation of the material as well as your willingness to turn each opportunity into a unique learning experience.

You will be expected to:

• thoroughly prepare for the contact sessions;
• do assignments as indicated in the study guide and in class, and submit the required number of assignments for assessment;
• participate in class discussions; and
• inform the lecturer in good time if there are sections of the work that you do not understand.

Purpose of the course in Language Practice

Language practice as a subject is taught together with the other language subjects in an undergraduate course with the aim of delivering practitioners who are trained in the theory and practice of a variety of career-oriented language skills. These skills include translation, text editing, interpreting, subtitling and audio-description. The aim is to equip graduates to fulfil professional roles in a developing multilingual society. Training in the use of technological resources for language practice, particularly computer-assisted translation tools, forms an integral part of the skills-development process.

The following career possibilities exist for language practitioners:

• Translators and text editors may work for translation companies, advertising companies, the press, publishers, and the provincial and national legislatures. There are also many freelance opportunities for translators and text editors.
• Interpreters may work in government institutions such as courts, and in legislatures and community projects on a national, provincial and local level.
• The demand for people who are qualified in creating subtitles or audio-described material for television programmes and films is increasing. Such people can work freelance, or for media companies.