Introduction to the Department.
Translation Studies is a professional course which aims to produce Translators and Interpreters to be employed in the courts, parliament & departments of government sectors. In Sri Lanka four Universities are offering B.A Honours in Translation Studies, University of Jaffna is one among them which produces English-Tamil Translators with adequate knowledge in Sinhala. Translation Studies is one of the recently introduced disciplines in the faculty of Arts of University of Jaffna.
Translation Studies Department, as a unit has been offering special degree in Translation studies since 2011. We are pleased to honour the service of our former coordinators Prof. M.Saravanapavan Iyar and Dr.K.Srikaneshan of Department of English Language Teaching who dedicated their years of service in developing our department, from 2017 to till 2020 it was administrated by Dr.S.K.Kannathas of Department of English Language Teaching as the Last coordinator of the Unit and he became the first Head of the Department in 2020 and to date he direct us through the right path to be successful in the Studies and Carrier. We express our sincere gratitude to these personalities to mould us as what we are today.
It was upgraded as a department on 19-02-2020 by the Gazette No:2163/21, of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka .
Students-Intake
Earlier from 2011 to 2014 Students were allowed to select Translation Studies as Honours Degree Programme on the basis of their own interest and the degree was provided with the title ‘Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree Programme’. Later from 2015 onwards, UGC with the Collaboration of NLEAP and Ottawa University of Canada, selected students through separate window under competitive manner and the Degree has been offered as B.A (Hons.) in Translation Studies. The path opened to entire nation where multiple streams of students from 25 administrative districts get the opportunity, annually.
Course-Design
The department offers a range of innovatively designed program with constantly updated curriculum to meet the needs of major stake holders in the country. Our curriculum includes the course units on the following standards: Theories of Translation, English & Tamil Language oriented course units, Tamil & Sinhala Language oriented course units, Translation and Linguistics, Translation & Technology, Translation Practice, Research Course Units and Professional Training. It is noteworthy that, the department of Translation Studies in the University of Jaffna is one of the academic centres in Sri Lanka where theoretical framework of Translation is taught along with the practical framework as an independent discipline. The department at present offers special degree program through internship and research works.
Employability
Our department ensures hundred percent of employability. Our Graduates are employed as Probationary Lecturers, Translators in Central Bank of Ceylon, University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education of Northern Province, Jaffna Municipal Council, Chief Secretary’s Secretariat of Northern Province and in several Government Sectors. Further, certain number of graduates serve as English Teachers and other Graduates are employed as Development Officers. It is noteworthy that the number of students enrolled in each batch have been increasing batches to batches. It shows the demand of this field in our country. Currently, 149 students are following the Degree Programme and Seven batches have been successfully produced by the department.