McCone Building
Monterey, CA
Email Address
mgillen@miis.edu
Phone Number
831.647.4192
Language(s)
Русский
Michael Gillen
Professor
Professor Gillen has been a freelance translator and interpreter of Russian-language scientific and technical materials since 1976. His company (Russtek, Ltd.) provides language-support services to companies and organizations seeking to improve business ties with Russia, and he is actively involved in efforts to improve the business climate in Russia. He has consulted for the International Academy of Business and Banking in Russia, provided translation and interpretation services for the Russian Far East-U.S. West Coast Ad Hoc Working Group, and supervised the development and revision of the Russian-language version of The Interpreter's Edge, a court-interpreting self-study course developed by Professor Holly Mikkelson. He also oversaw the localization of the MIIS website into Russian.
Professor Gillen joined our faculty in 1985. He has been the Russian program head since 2004 and previously served in that capacity from 1992 to 2001. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Director of Translation and Director of its Globalization Research Center (GRC), spearheading the effort to integrate translation technology into translation courses. Currently, in addition to his teaching duties, he is the project manager for the Translation and Interpretation Training Project, which provides intensive workshops on translation and consecutive interpretation to U.S. Government foreign-language professionals. He is also a consultant to the Center for the Advanced Study of Language at the University of Maryland and to the Interagency Language Roundtable. He has given presentations on the role of translation technology in translation pedagogy at conferences, seminars, and similar events sponsored by the American Translators Association, Kent State University, the Logos Institute, the LISA (Localization Industry Standards Association) Education Initiative Taskforce (LEIT), and the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Expertise
Translation of Russian-language scientific and technical publications, particularly materials science and engineering; integration of translation technology into translation curricula
Education
MBA, BA, Russian Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
TIRU 8511 - Intro Trans into English ▹
Introduces students to the basic theory and practice of translation, both written and sight. Students will learn to apply text analysis, text typology, and contrastive analysis of their working languages to identify, analyze, and resolve translation problems while independently developing an efficient and rational approach to the process of translation. The appropriate application of electronic translation tools will also be introduced. Fundamental translation theory will be emphasized at the beginning of the course and will be conveyed in the form of assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and independent research. In addition, course assignments will include practice and graded exercises in sight and written translation, utilizing authentic texts drawn from an extensive variety of text categories that include, but are not limited to, current events, general political economy, general legal documents, and scientific and technical topics for general audiences. As the term progresses, student time and effort will increasingly be spent on the preparation and evaluation of written translation assignments. Students will be expected to take at least one midterm exam and one final exam, to be assigned at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Fall 2009 - MIIS, Fall 2010 - MIIS, Fall 2011 - MIIS, Fall 2012 - MIIS, Fall 2013 - MIIS
TIRU 8513 - Intro Sight Trans to English
TIRU 8521 - Intrm Translation to English
Builds on the theoretical and practical foundation laid in Introduction to Translation and introduces the translation of specialized subject matter. Depending upon the language program in which they are enrolled, students will be expected to acquire and demonstrate basic proficiency in the sight and written translation of either commercial and economic texts, legal texts, or scientific and technical texts. The amount of emphasis accorded to a particular topic will depend on the specific professional requirements of each language program. Course assignments will include readings, research, presentations, practice and graded exercises in sight translation, and practice and graded written translation assignments, including exercises in speed translation. Students will also be expected to take at least one midterm and one final exam. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are largely at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Translation or equivalent background.
Spring 2010 - MIIS, Spring 2011 - MIIS, Spring 2012 - MIIS, Spring 2013 - MIIS
TIRU 8523 - Intrm Sight Trans to English
TIRU 8631 - Adv Translation I into English ▹
This is the first of two complementary courses designed to bring translation knowledge and skills up to the level that would be required of someone working in a professional translation environment. Students will be expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first-year translation courses to produce translations that meet high standards for content, form, and presentation. A great deal of attention is given to subject matter knowledge and research, precision in text analysis and writing, and the appropriate application of translation technology. Some programs emphasize scientific and technical topics in this course, but others give considerable attention to commercial, economic, legal, and political texts, many of which have a technical component. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record. Students will, however, be expected to take at least one midterm exam and one final exam.
Prerequisite: 2nd-year student in good standing or equivalent background.
Fall 2009 - MIIS, Fall 2010 - MIIS, Fall 2011 - MIIS, Fall 2012 - MIIS, Fall 2013 - MIIS
TIRU 8641 - Advanced Trans II to English
This course is the counterpart to Advanced Translation I. Students are expected to translate texts of considerable difficulty and complexity and to cope with the types of operational challenges that are likely to be encountered in professional translation settings, such as working in teams or coping with multiple technologies. Emphasis is on particular text categories and subject-matter knowledge that are pertinent to current market demand for the specific language combination and direction in which the course is being taught. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record, but will include projects that simulate, as closely as possible, the professional translation environment, as well as at least one midterm and one final exam.
Prerequisite: Advanced Translation I or similar background.
Spring 2010 - MIIS, Spring 2011 - MIIS, Spring 2012 - MIIS, Spring 2013 - MIIS
