The number of companies investing in the Middle East in a plethora of domains like business, technical or retail, has witnessed a boom in the past few years. There is something or the other that this country has to offer for the professionals on the lookout for building an unparalleled career graph. With that being said, it becomes obvious career prospects are only to widen from this point. But what stands as a barrier in the way of achieving such a desirous goal? Knowing the language isn’t the problem if you were wondering so. Rather it is the effective usage of the language which is the main cause.
Arabic is the dominant language of the Middle East which is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations. The Arabic world considers the language as holy and pious, resulting in almost 200 million speakers worldwide. Also, we mustn’t forget that Middle East countries are a few of the very economically stable ones in the world. But the question arises that why does one need to pursue a specific course or specialization in Translation? Let us understand the answer with the help of an example. When we think of India, the first thing which comes to our mind is diversity. With almost 19, 500 dialects in usage, every single person in this country is at least bilingual. But having the helm of two languages doesn’t qualify that person to become a translator. It is an act that requires intense training and proper exposure. Hence, pursuing a course that not only guarantees employment but also unveils the creative potential of the person is a must.
What brings us to today’s topic is the fact that not many universities or institutions around the world are not adept with a course module in accordance with global standards. Pursuing a course from a reputed university will enhance your chances of betterment. With that being said, let us quickly dig into the top five colleges/universities offering English-Arabic Translation Courses in the Middle East:
Master of Arts in Translation (English-Arabic-English), University Saint-Joseph:
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The students or professionals must keep in mind at the very outset that most of the universities/colleges offering translation courses in the Middle East are for the graduates. The stream or subject of graduation has no role in the Master’s degree since it is a skill enhancement course.
Course Outline: To receive the Master’s Degree in Translation, the enrolled student must complete either a full-time track of 15 months or a part-time track of 18-24 months. The curriculum includes the bases of translation from English into Arabic and Arabic into English. The curriculum covers thematic concepts and terminologies related to the following specific fields:
- Literature
- Economy
- Journalism, Media, and Copywriting
- Law
- International Conferences/ Organizations
- IT Sector
- Banking and Financial Domains
MA in Translation offered by the School of Translators – Dubai at USJ caters for all needs and levels, with a focus on students and employees working in the following fields:
- Governmental Institutions
- Banking and Financial Markets
- Media and Communication
- Law firms
At the end of the course, the students, interested in freelancing will be entitled to Translation Project Management for proper exposure.
Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting English Arabic English (MATI), American University of Sharjah:
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
The Mater’s degree in Translation and Interpreting English Arabic English (MATI) is one of the courses of high repute not just locally but globally. The holistic approach towards the curriculum is what makes this course and university stand apart.
Course Overview: The program provides students with advanced training in translation and interpreting techniques and terminology management, machine translation (MT), translation memory (TM), and language engineering areas most relevant to the world of translation.
On the successful completion of the course, the students will demonstrate competence in translation and interpreting in and out of English and Arabic and demonstrate the ability to reflect upon and use relevant theories in the production and assessment of translation and interpreting tasks.
Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies, United Arab Emirates University:
Location:Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
For the students who want to learn the basics and transform themselves into a professional, this is the course for you. Undergraduate studies under the aegis of the United Arab Emirates University is one of the most sought after courses globally.
Course Outline: The fundamental objective of the course is as follows,
- Develop students’ translation-oriented written and oral proficiency in Arabic and English.
- Produce translators with market-oriented skills and ethics.
- Develop students’ skills in translating and interpreting texts of different types from English into Arabic and vice versa
- Familiarise students with the theoretical aspects of translation and interpreting.
MA Translation, Faculty of Arts, University of Jordan, Amman
Location: Jordan, Amman
Jordan may be a costly place to live in, but it shouldn’t become a compromising factor when it comes to your career. With one of the highest rankings globally, the University of Jordan is the best place to pursue a course in Translation. The simple reason being that Jordan is the hub of many business settlements and technological institutions which intend to attract a lot of foreign investors. The requirement of professional translators is probably the most here. This is the factor that the varsity has kept in mind while framing their curriculum.
Course Outline: The official website of the University of Jordan lists all the objectives and eligibility criterion for the course. But the best part about the varsity is that it has smooth and transparent judiciary services for international students. The hassle behind the paperwork and visa formalities impede a lot of students from applying to these universities. Visit the official website and take notes which will motivate you to make a decision.
Arabic and Translation Studies Division, Centre for Adult & Continuing Education, American University in Cairo
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Who wouldn’t want to visit the land of mysteries and mummies! And what better way than to pursue a course in translation. Who knows, you might be able to decipher the Egyptian Language code leading to a hidden treasure!
Course Outline: The Arabic and Translation Studies Division offers classes in translation and simultaneous interpreting and colloquial Egyptian Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic. Arabic language classes are customarily given at the elementary and intermediate levels. After successful completion of the initial levels, advanced classes may be offered depending on demand. Certificate programs offered by the division are designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the interdisciplinary nature and practice of translation and interpretation.
Always remember that the course you’re planning to pursue is not everybody’s cup of tea. There’s a reason why there is a dearth of professional translators around the world. And if you’re still under the haze of doubt that whether pursuing a translation course will be fruitful or not, here is a host of other avenues which will open up once you are a trained translator. You can work in:
- Publishing House and unfurl the creative potential
- Working in a Multinational Company has a lot of scopes
- Work with legal firms and translate the official documents
- Travel and Tourism industry
- Media Houses
- Subject-matter expert
- You can also become a teacher with a specialization in translation
If you aren’t drawn in by any of these avenues, then EZ always has its doors open for a talented professional like you. Regular internship opportunities are available for the deserving and meritorious ones. The advantage of working with a Business Support Service Provider like EZ is that you can either work full-time or as a freelancer. Moreover, getting involved in a myriad of projects will provide fodder for your creativity.
