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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Translation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9129  Master of Arts in Translation 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to train highly professional and competent translators or interpreters, equipping them with the practical and methodological skills appropriate to the discipline. Further to ensure an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical issues in Translation studies. The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by preparing him/her for high-level translation work. Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce postgraduates who can contribute to the economy of South Africa by translating nationally, regionally and internationally. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who fall outside of the regular admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but need further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior tobefore admission or parallel programmes after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Translation, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Translation and Interpreting, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner is able to:
    1. The qualifying learner is able to access and process information using a range of technologies:
    1.1 Use a full range of terminology and key concepts in different disciplines in South African and International literature.
    1.2 Use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials and methodologies.
    1.3 Show extensive in-depth understanding of own position in relation to debates within Translation Studies (translation or interpreting).

    2. The qualifying learner is able to communicate and produce information a range of technologies:
    2.1 Apply understanding of current debates and research findings.
    2.2 Demonstrate sophisticated understanding of academic, oral and written conventions.

    3. The qualifying learner demonstrates critical analytic competence and problem solving:
    3.1 Analyse and evaluate subject matter of the discipline.
    3.2 Identify problems and suggest possible solutions within the field.

    4. The qualifying learner demonstrates research competence:
    4.1 Demonstrate understanding of research methods and their application.
    4.2 Apply in-depth understanding of relevant literature.
    4.3 Contribute to the advancement of knowledge by producing extended assignments.

    5. The qualifying learner shows competence to manage him/herself:
    5.1 Apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas and executing a research study.
    5.2 Possess advanced knowledge needed for self-directed independent learning.

    6. The qualifying learner demonstrates social competence:
    6.1 Understand group dynamics and processes and roles and when to use them for desired purposes.
    6.2 Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of diversity as an asset.

    7. The qualifying learner shows ecosystemic competence:
    7.1 Have an in-depth diversity of the world in all its diversity.
    7.2 Understand the nature of working relationships.
    7.3 Have an awareness of the social context of science and technology and its impact on the environment.
    7.4 An in-depth understanding of how the ethical principles of the profession relate to a broader society.

    8. The qualifying learner shows disciplinary and/or professional competence (can substitute field of enquiry for discipline):
    8.1 Understand and use the concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline of Translation Studies.
    8.2 Be familiar with related fields of enquiry as linked to developments in the discipline.
    8.3 Demonstrate competence in advanced disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area of research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The qualifying learner is able to:
  • Demonstrate sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources.
  • Articulate own position within debates.
  • Process and critically evaluate different kinds of data and texts across a wide range.
  • Use appropriate conventions and representational technologies to sustain cogent arguments.
  • Present effectively in oral and written form, ideas, theories, discipline-specific information.
  • Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives examine innovative approaches and conceptual tools with which to analyse practice.
  • Critically evaluate theoretical models.
  • Apply subject matter to real life situations.
  • Apply scholarly, analytical or scientific research methods.
  • Produce a research report in a satisfactory written style or replicate an existing small scale study in a new context.
  • Design a focused and small-scale enquiry.
  • Be capable of becoming a mentor/tutor/role model in imparting skills and knowledge one has learnt to others.
  • Show the ability to be a purposeful, self-directed scholar and researcher.
  • Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and life commitments.
  • To solve problems effectively and demonstrate leadership, independence and purposefulness when appropriate.
  • Work constructively with diversity within a dynamic situation.
  • Have the ability to negotiate effectively with clients and ensure recognition of the ethics of the profession.
  • Plan, execute and evaluate research practice within an ecosystemic paradigm.
  • Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to new information and situations.
  • Apply disciplinary knowledge to self-motivated enquiry.
  • Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field.
  • Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.
  • Demonstrate ability to translate a wide range of texts and discourses with high level professional competence or, in the field of interpreting, ability to function effectively as a simultaneous interpreter.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Practical professional competence is assessed by translation/interpreting examinations and methodology examinations. Theoretical competence is assessed using essays, examinations and the Research Report.

    ASSOCIATED VALUES.
    The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to:
    1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

    2.1 Respect and acknowledge the ownership of intellectual property.
    2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

    3.1 Commit him/herself to responsible decision-making.
    3.2 Be sensitive to different ways of constructing knowledge and apply knowledge in an ethically sensitive manner.

    4.1 Take ethical responsibility with respect to research subjects.
    4.2 Undertake socially responsible research.

    5. Pursue excellence, recognise accountability and resourcefulness.

    6.1 Commitment him/herself to collaborative processes.
    6.2 Value diversity.

    7.1 Appreciate the complexity of society.
    7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

    8.1 Adhere to the ethical standards of Translation Studies.
    8.2 Be sensitive to the ethical implications of his/her own practices. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Translation Studies and Linguistics, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics and Literary Theory, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Witwatersrand 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.