thesis translation studies

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"Twenty-Two Theses on Translation"

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Ágnes Somló Abstract Nowadays the position of translators has changed significantly in a world of increasing cultural influences and effects of IT. We are gradually translated into a new person, obtaining a kind of multicultural identity, much in the way Salman Rushdie has stated several times, among others in his novel Shame, when describing himself as a " translated man ". The metaphor can also be used in the case of translators and translation proper so the two – translation as a metaphor and translation proper – will partly overlap in this paper. We will attempt to find some explanations for changes generated by migration and try to detect some of their roots in the information revolution defined by technology (IT). Thus I am attracted by the signs of a changing concept of translation, and would make an effort to capture the changing role of translator/interpreter in an increasingly multicultural world. This paper will rely on a train of thought evoked by Salman Rushdie's writings as well as some interviews with him. By elaborating on the state of the individual in Rushdie's system we will examine it and compare it to a more or less similar, albeit more generalized, description of peripheral systems in Even-Zohar's theory. Then continue by touching upon the connection between migration and translation, differentiating different phases as well as periods in the process. And finally, we will look at some ideas in a thought-provoking article by Harish Trivedi dealing with the rudimentary difference between translating culture and cultural translation, and will try to connect them both to previous thoughts concerning changes in the position of translators today. During the past decades our position as translators seems to have drastically changed due to an increasing amount of cultural influences to which we are now exposed as well as the ever accelerating attack of the mass of information worldwide. However, looking at translation from a historical point of view we see that in a way it has always strived to fulfil the task of transmission by crossing borders in nearly all fields of life, whether cultural,

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Translation Studies PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Translation Studies

Postgraduate Virtual Open Days

Join us online on 12 to 14 November where you can learn more about postgraduate study through webinars, live panel sessions, and one-to-one chat.

Find out more and register

Research profile

Doctorate-level study is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in a community that really values research; and to make an original, positive contribution to learning in translation studies.

One of the most flexible doctoral programmes of its kind in the UK, our PhD enables you to enhance your translation practice while gaining an intellectual and philosophical perspective on the activity of translation, developing you as a self-reflective and theoretically-minded researcher or​ translator.

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors - you can opt to produce an independent thesis, or an extended scholarly translation with commentary.

Research excellence

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research in Translation Studies was submitted in Modern Languages and Linguistics (Panel D - Arts and Humanities; Unit of Assessment 26).

The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK.

As published in Times Higher Education's REF power ratings, this result is based on the quality and breadth of our research in the unit of assessment.

Research areas

Our expertise covers a wide range of interdisciplinary and international research areas and many languages. We encourage PhD scholars to investigate translation’s intersections with intellectual, material and political perspectives in global contexts.

We have particular strengths in:

• audiovisual translation
• literary translation
• translation and music
• translation and art / intermediality
• performance and translation
• translation and religion
• translation and history
• trauma and translation
• gender and translation
• translation and health
• translation and the environment

Explore our range of research centres, networks and projects in Translation Studies

Languages offered

We typically offer the languages above, but not necessarily on a year-on-year basis due to staff commitment and leave.

• Be inspired by the range of PhD research in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

Go beyond the books

Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen.

Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research. Guests include Dr Charlotte Bosseaux (Series 2 - Episode 6) talking about her AHRC-funded research on the ethical demands of translating accounts of trauma.

• Browse Beyond the Books episodes and hear our research community talk about their work

Programme structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses.

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

This programme includes optional training on research skills, methods and problems.

Between the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the Careers Service, and the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), you will find a further range of programmes and resources to help you develop your postgraduate skills.

You will also have access to the University’s fantastic libraries, collections and worldwide strategic partnerships.

Our graduates tell us that they value LLC’s friendliness, the connections they make here and the in-depth guidance they receive from our staff, who are published experts in their field.

As one of our PhD candidates, you will be part of a friendly international community which partners the International Postgraduate Conference in Translation and Interpreting (IPCITI) and has its own seminar series for postgraduate students, staff and visiting speakers, as well as hosting regular symposia and conferences such as 'Whose Voice is it Anyway?'.

• Whose Voice is it Anyway?

We are an official Higher Education Language Partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and a member of the RWS Campus - Trados Academic Partner Program.

We have great links with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and with many industry and cultural partners in the city of Edinburgh.

As a student here, you will have borrowing rights to over two million volumes in the University's Main Library, which subscribes to the 'Bibliography of Translation Studies' database.

The Library is also the home of the University's Centre for Research Collections which brings together:

• more than 400,000 rare books
• six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
• thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects

Many of our Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, Computing Labs, and dedicated PhD study space in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

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In the city

Our world-leading capital city is a treasure trove of cinemas, theatres, galleries, and museums, consulates and cultural institutes, and established communities of non-English speakers.

Highlights include the National Museums and Galleries of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, the Scottish Poetry Library and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Pre-application guidance

Before you formally apply for this PhD, you should look at the pre-application information and guidance on the programme website.

This will help you decide if this programme is right for you, and help us gain a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve.

The guidance will also give you practical advice for writing your research proposal – one of the most important parts of your application.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree and a masters degree with distinction (first class or excellent), or their international equivalents, in a relevant subject.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT : 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

borrowing money

taking out a loan

family support

personal savings

income from work

employer sponsorship

• scholarships

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Featured funding

There are a number of scholarship schemes available to eligible candidates on this PhD programme, including awards from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Please be advised that many scholarships have more than one application stage, and early deadlines.

• Find out more about scholarships in literatures, languages and cultures

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Further information

• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
• 50 George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: Translation Studies
• School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Translation Studies - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd translation studies - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

• Application and research proposal guidance

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Ln904 dissertation in translation studies.

This module constitutes the final dissertation for students enrolled on the MA in Translation and Cultures (60 CATS) . It aims to enable students to develop their understanding and gain practical experience of the process and skills required to undertake a supervised translation and/or research project. Through a combination of independent research and targeted support and feedback sessions, it will help students to produce a coherent and logically argued piece of writing that demonstrates knowledge of and critical ability in a chosen area, commensurate with the accomplishment of an MA degree.

• Dr Anna Lanfranchi
• Dr Qian Liu
• Dr Sijing Lu
• Dr David Orrego-Carmona
• Dr Lee Purvis
• Dr Caroline Summers
• Dr Olga Castro (on leave)
• Dr Will Amos (on leave T1, 2024-25)
• Dr Mila Milani (currently on maternity leave)

Students will then choose one of three dissertation models with which to complete their 15,000-word dissertation:

• translation with commentary (normally comprising up to 1/2 translation and 1/2 commentary);
• a comparative commentary on existing translations;
• a dissertation on a topic related to translation and/or transcultural studies and/or intercultural difference.

Although students may choose to study any of the above languages (indeed including references to other materials/languages where relevant), students providing their own original translation are expected to translate into their first language .

This module will allow students to:

• Plan and write a dissertation that evaluates and synthesises written and optionally also audio-visual materials in a sustained piece of individual, academic research on a chosen topic which has been approved by the Module Leader
• Develop independent and advanced critical research and project management skills Critically engage with and integrate theory and method in their chosen field of study
• Research issues in translation and transcultural studies, including recent approaches, current problems and potential future developments
• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of specific translation practices and the role of translation, the translator and translation studies more broadly in resolving linguistic and cultural challenges in communication
• Develop an advanced awareness of the role of translation, the translator and translation studies in various areas of cultural production, activities and exchange (i.e. audio-visual media, publishing, localisation etc.), depending on the chosen area of study.

Submission dates for LN904 in 2024/25: 4th September 2025, 11.59am.

Please refer to the Moodle page of LN904 for more detailed information about the MA dissertation.