UofSC Aiken Offers New Degree in Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation

Aiken, SC (09/07/2021) — The University of South Carolina Aiken (UofSC Aiken) offers a new bachelor's degree in Spanish with a concentration in translation and interpretation. The program was established by Dr. Timothy Ashton, chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

The degree is for Spanish-English bilinguals and non-Spanish-speakers who desire to obtain a professional certification in translation and/or interpretation; professionals seeking career advancement by becoming certified in translation and/or interpretation; and professionals seeking to enrich their ability to communicate with native Spanish-speakers in the field.

The program will prepare students to become certified and find careers in a variety of fields:

• Translating and/or interpreting in business and finance, healthcare professions, criminal justice and law, education, government, real estate, and public services
• International business communications, bilingual marketing, and training
• Military and intelligence services
• Non-profit administration and programming for Hispanic-serving organizations
• Peace Corps
• Publishing/editing digital media in Spanish
• Relocation services, language, and cultural training for Spanish-speakers
• Teaching in k-12-college

Native or heritage Spanish-speakers or Spanish-English bilinguals who elect to major and/or minor in Spanish may qualify for up to 12 credit hours based on their performance on an oral examination.

Ashton discovered his passion for the Spanish language during a summer study abroad program in Spain while in his fourth year of undergraduate study. "What I enjoyed about the program was that my focus - all day, every day - was on Spanish. I spent four hours per day in the classroom, and the rest of the evening was for 'real life' activities in Spanish with my host family or attending cultural events offered through the program," he said. "By the end of the summer, I was speaking Spanish, and I knew I wanted more." He went on to earn a master's degree in Spanish from Bowling Green State University at La Universidad de Alcala, near Madrid, Spain, and a Ph.D. in Iberian literatures and cultures from The Ohio State University.

"My story is proof that a regular American kid can begin learning a language in their twenties and achieve proficiency," Ashton said. "One of my proudest accomplishments at UofSC Aiken is having developed a Spanish language and cultural immersion study abroad program in Valladolid, Spain, which is comparable to the one I started in so that beginning-level undergraduate students at UofSC Aiken can also have the life-changing experience I had."

Since he developed the study abroad program in 2012, Ashton has taken 92 UofSC Aiken students to Spain to live with host families and study the Spanish language and culture. Many students have contacted him since graduation to share how much that experience served to not only broaden their horizons but advance them professionally. "If there is one thing I want to communicate to prospective students, it's that you can come to UofSC Aiken with just one language, but if you put in the effort, open your mind, and take advantage of all that we offer, you'll leave bilingual."

UofSC Aiken also offers a bachelor's degree in Spanish with a concentration in language, literatures, and cultures.

Students interested in a Spanish major or minor and who would like to receive credit toward that major and/or minor by oral examination should contact Dr. Timothy Ashton at timothya@usca.edu (803-641-3204).

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