Research field

English Language, Literature, and Translation

Tampere University

Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

The prominent position of English in today’s world lends extra leverage to graduates of the English specialisation of the Degree Education in Language Studies, and the education we offer gives them the tools to build successful careers both in Finland and abroad. Our multinational teaching staff bring a wealth of skills, experience, and cultural perspectives to our teaching and research. The specialisation offers our students in-depth training in the core areas of linguistics, literary studies, and translation and interpreting, including such fields of research as language structure and usage, language history and

diversity, literary history and genres, postcolonial and global literatures in English, as well as some practical courses in translation and interpreting. Thematically oriented courses at the more advanced levels of study give students plenty of choice for specialisation in different areas. More information on studies is given under the ‘Studies’ tab. The specialisation produces language and culture professionals who go on to work in the fields of education and research, culture, business, language technology, media, tourism, customer service, and many more. An emphasis is placed on effective and multifaceted communication techniques in keeping with the diverse nature of language itself, the current status of English in Finland and in the world, and the many opportunities open to language specialists when they enter the workforce.

The range of research conducted by teaching staff and PhD researchers within the English specialisation reflects the same global dimensions and diversity as the studies we offer. Especially at the Advanced Studies level, teaching and research tend to have a close relationship. Our research on linguistics has its main focus on the areas of contact linguistics, pragmatics and discourse analysis, World Englishes, and English historical linguistics. One of the strengths of our research lies in the use of state-of-the-art corpus linguistic approaches, an area that is rapidly evolving and providing new insights into the way English is used around the world. Much of our work is carried out in collaboration with a wide international scientific network, and has helped to make significant advancements in the theoretical and methodological aspects of many areas of linguistics.

Our research on anglophone literatures has had a long-term focus on spatial phenomena, as displayed in the work of the unit-wide research group on Spatial Studies and Environmental Humanities. This research aims to push the boundaries of spatial, environmental, and geopolitical theories in subfields such as environmental poetics, spatial literary studies, literary urban studies, and mobility studies. These research perspectives draw our attention to the potential of literary and other cultural texts to shape and challenge our perspectives on the physical world. For research on translation, please see Multilingual communication and translation studies. The umbrella for all research conducted in the language disciplines is Plural, the Multidisciplinary Research Centre for Languages and Cultures.

Students of English become experts in the linguistic, literary, and cultural phenomena of English-speaking societies, as well as their local and global dimensions. Studying English at Tampere University provides insight into the diversity of these societies and offers outstanding skills for contemporary multilingual and multicultural working life. Knowing English at an expert level allows our graduates to find positions as specialists in the branches of, among others, education, culture, communications and media, and language technology, in international organisations, as well as in marketing and the tourism industry. Our skilled graduates typically go on to work, for example,

as language teachers, researchers specialising in linguistics or literary and cultural studies, or in many positions as language or communication specialists in the cultural sector, business world, or civil service. For those interested in a career as a language teacher, a second language is recommended in addition to the major in English and the mandatory pedagogical studies. The English specialisation is part of the wide-ranging Degree Education in Language Studies, bringing together a unique combination of experts on the information and media society. The studies begin with a Bachelor’s degree, which offers – beyond solid language skills – expertise in the analysis of language and literature as well as the requisite analytical and critical thinking skills. Students gain perspectives on the local and global variation of English, language use and structure, language learning, literary traditions of English-speaking societies, and ways of interpreting different text genres. There is also the opportunity to take some preliminary courses in translating and interpreting.

For the MA studies, the students have a choice between English Language and Literature in the Master’s Programme in Languages or the Master’s Programme in Multilingual Communication and Translation Studies. In addition, it is possible to opt for the Technical Communications Programme. For the English Language and Literature MA studies, students are able to focus on topics of particular interest to them, typically choosing to specialise in either linguistics or literary studies. MA graduates may also apply for doctoral studies

Technical Communications Programme

Technical communication forms a bridge between technology and its users. Technical communicators design and produce technical documentation, such as user and installation instructions, for various types of products and target groups. Tampere University has trained technical communication experts for over 20 years. The Technical Communications Programme combines the key areas of the field: target audience analysis, research, information design and visualisation, writing, terminology work, use of authoring tools and documentation usability. The guiding principle of the programme is company cooperation.

Technical communication is a multidisciplinary field that gets inspiration from rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, graphic design and usability research. The field focuses on texts that are used to complete tasks and get things done. Tampere specialises in the study of technical communication history, interaction in user instructions, and minimalism, an important technical communication design strategy.

Students can complete the one-year Technical Communications Programme as part of their master’s degree. Companies usually produce their documentation in English, and therefore in order to apply, students need to have completed basic and subject studies in English. Technical communication combines technology and language. The field offers an inspiring and diverse training and career alternative for language and translation students.

Professionals who want to update their know-how through continuous learning can also complete courses in the programme.