Building bridges not walls – Wikipedia in Translation Studies

Abstract

Translation Studies MSc students at the University of Edinburgh take part in a Wikipedia translation assignment as part of their independent study component. The students make use of the free and open encyclopaedia’s Content Translation tool which enables them to create translations side-by-side to the original article and automates the process of formatting the page. By providing a more user-friendly experience, translators can focus on creating high-quality content that reads naturally and fluently. Course leaders were keen that the students undertake much-needed published translation practice each semester to bridge the gap between academic study and the world of work ahead of their dissertations. This chapter explains how the project was structured and delivered.