Training

Studies of translation and interpretation prepare students for tasks in international communication where excellent language, translation and interpretation skills are required. The aim of the studies is to train experts in international communication who can work responsibly in interlingual and inter-cultural communication situations taking into consideration the objectives of the situations.

The studies of translation and interpretation include theory of translation and interpretation as well as practices. The focus in the studies is the studies of working languages and cultures. There are a minimum of two working languages, one of which is the mother tongue.

The studies of the mother tongue, usually Finnish, are an essential part of the training. The main language can be English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish or Russia (varies by university). Also the selection of second languages varies from one university to another. Translation technology is an important element of the studies.

Also the training programs of foreign languages can include translation studies and many translators have their background in philology.

Academic profession

The training of translators and interpreters takes place at the universities in Finland. Translators and interpreters are trained at the universities of Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Eastern Finland and Vaasa.

University of Helsinki offers studies of English, Swedish, German and Russian translation and interpretation, language theory and translation technology. During the studies it is possible to specialise in audio-visual translation.

For more information, please see the web pages of the University of Helsinki: Department of Modern Languages and The Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies

University of Turku offers translation and interpretation as majors and minors in the languages of French, German, English and Spanish. 
For more information, please see the web pages of the University of Turku: Centre for Translation and Intrepretation studies (Kääntämisen ja tulkkauksen keskus) (in Finnish)

University of Tampere offers translation studies in the English, German and Russian languages. As a minor one can also study translation of Swedish. The studies also include  translation studies for Finnish, which essentially supports the teaching of all majors. At the University of Tampere it is possible to specialise in technical communication.
For more information, please see School of Language, Translation and Literary studies.

The University of Eastern Finland offers the language selection of English, German and Russian in language and translation studies. All these languages may be studied as minors as well. Some other minor options are Swedish language and translation, Japanese language and culture, translation science, Finnish language and translation, interpreting and communication and cultures.

For more information, please see Philosophical Faculty, School of Humanities (filosofinen tiedekunta, humanistinen osasto) (in Finnish).

The University of Vaasa concentrates on teaching modern Finnish and on research. Special interest is given to special languages in Finland, translation, Finnish as a second/foreign language, contrasting of Finnish language and bilingual lexicography.
For more information, please see Modern Finnish and Translation