A Comparative Study on Master’s CN-IT Translation Programs Guided by the PACTE Translation Competence Model

This thesis presents a comparative study on eight translation programs involving Chinese-Italian language combination at master’s level at four Italian (UNIBO, UNIVE, UNINT, IULM) and four Chinese universities (BFSU, UIBE, JISU, TJFSU). Comparisons are made: 1) between the basic setting of each program, including length of study, language of teaching, maximum number of intakes, entrance exam, and so on; 2) between the course curriculum of different programs; 3) between course curriculums and the PACTE group’s translation competence model; and 4) between the presentation of course information in Chinese and Italian universities in general. After collecting and analysing data from official websites of each university program, it is discovered that apart from nuances in the basic setting, translation programs at Italian and Chinese universities are mostly different in their number of working language and translation direction. Italian universities all require two foreign languages to be translated into Italian, only one among which is found to offer both translation from and into Chinese, whereas Chinese universities are Chinese-Italian specific with double directions. Similarities between the programs are found in their curriculum structure, little training on the native language, and requirements for internship and thesis. Regarding the incorporation of translation competence, it is discovered that the four Italian universities address all five sub-competences of the PACTE translation competence model, with special emphasis on strategic, instrumental, and knowledge about translation sub-competences, while the only Chinese university, the course curriculum of which is publicly accessible, addresses four of the five sub-competences, excelling in extra-linguistic sub-competence but missing instrumental sub-competence.