Translation Competence of Graduates of Master's Degrees in Translation and Interpreting A Qualitative Study on Teachers’ Perceptions

Abstract

The suitability of training content is one of the cornerstones of curriculum design, especially when this suitability is continually challenged by the reality of a changing and extremely competitive market. This paper presents the results of an exploratory qualitative study on the perception of teachers of several Master's degree programmes in Translation and Interpreting (T&I) in Spain regarding the acquisition of different competences by graduates of these programmes in order to highlight possible shortcomings and establish the corresponding relationship with the contents and methodologies taught in the different training programmes. The results indicate that this perception is positive across the board, especially in those competences related to specialisation in a specific field. The most relevant conclusions of this research point to the disengagement of teachers from professional activity as one of the main factors affecting the lack of knowledge of the expectations of the market reality on the part of the academic sphere and is, therefore, one of the elements that must be taken into account when bridging the gap between the academic sphere and the labour market.