Michael E. Rolland
Instructor
Modern Languages
EMAIL: mrolland@bmcc.cuny.edu
Office: +1 (212) 776-6450
Office Hours: Mon. 11 .a.m–1 p.m. & Thurs. 4-5 p.m. (on Zoom)
Phone: S-601F
Michael is an accomplished scholar in Hispanic Linguistics and a translator with more than a decade of experience. He earned his PhD in Latin American, Iberian and Latino Cultures from the CUNY Graduate Center in 2023, and has accumulated extensive experience as a translator and professor of Spanish, Italian, and translation studies. Michael has cultivated a profound understanding of linguistic nuances and cultural contexts, enriching his teaching and translation work with depth and authenticity. His career in academia has seen him lead courses, mentor students, and contribute to scholarly research, earning him a reputation for excellence and dedication in higher education.
In addition to his academic achievements, Michael is adept at integrating modern technology into language education and translation practices. He has developed innovative teaching methods and utilized advanced translation tools to streamline workflows and enhance learning experiences. Michael’s ability to bridge the gap between traditional linguistics and cutting-edge technology positions him uniquely in the evolving landscape of language professions.
Expertise
Michael holds a PhD in Hispanic Linguistics and has extensive experience as a translator and professor of Spanish, Italian, and translation studies.
Linguistic Mastery
Michael has developed a profound understanding of the Spanish and Italian languages, covering grammar, syntax, phonetics, and sociolinguistic variation. This deep knowledge enables him to produce precise and culturally nuanced translations and original writing in three languages.
Cultural Competence
His experience with Hispanic and Italian cultures enhances his teaching and translation work, ensuring that cultural context is always considered for accurate and effective communication.
Academic Excellence
With years in higher education, Michael has developed and taught various courses, mentored students, and contributed to significant research in his field.
Translation Proficiency
Michael is skilled in translating complex texts between Spanish, Italian, and English, maintaining fidelity to the original meaning while adapting content to different linguistic and cultural contexts.
Technological Integration
He effectively incorporates technology into language education and translation, using advanced tools and software to improve learning outcomes and translation accuracy. This ability to combine linguistic expertise with technological solutions distinguishes him in the field.
Innovative Methodologies
Michael has created innovative teaching methods and translation practices that leverage technology and modern pedagogical approaches, making language learning more accessible and engaging for students.
Degrees
PhD, Latin American, Iberian and Latino Cultures
- Specialization in Hispanic Linguistics
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York
- Dissertation: “Investment in Inertia”: Language Ideologies of Instructors and Students of Spanish as a Heritage Language
- Dissertation Supervisor: Associate Professor Beatriz Lado
MPhil, Latin American, Iberian and Latino Cultures
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York
MA, Mediterranean Studies
- Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont
- Academic year study abroad at Middlebury C.V. Starr School in Florence, Italy
BA, Italian Literature
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Academic year study abroad at University of Bologna/Indiana-BCSP, Bologna, Italy
Courses Taught
- In this introductory course students learn about the processes and strategies of translation and interpretation as well as available resources. This course includes translation and interpretation ethics, types of translation and interpretation and the history of the profession. Students are introduced to the use of interpretation and translation in law, the health professions, and financial businesses. It also introduces terminology and resources that can be used in computer aided interpretation and translation. Students explore how computer-assisted interpretation and translation has affected the industry as they learn to use interpretation and translation tools and create lists of commonly used terminology. There is emphasis on interpretation and translation into the native language with some practice in the opposite direction.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 (or equivalent) and Spanish at the intermediate-high level (SPN 210/SPN 221/SPN 207 or above) or departmental approval - TRS 232 invites the student to continue her/his development as a Spanish-English and/or English-Spanish translator and interpreter to complement the theoretical and practical techniques developed in TRS 231 into the professional ambit; namely, healthcare, business/finance, and law. Aside from honing technique across languages as both an art and a science, students are introduced to crosscultural considerations, ethics and best practices of both translation and interpretation.
Prerequisite: (ENG 101 or equivalent) and Spanish at the intermediate-high level (SPN 210/SPN 221/SPN 207 or above) or departmental approval - This is a theory-based course dealing with English-Spanish translation and interpretation for legal domain. The course will help students to translate and interpret legal texts and arguments, to write documents and to express themselves using legal vocabulary. The class will be taught in Spanish and will cover a broad mix of practical legal terminology, vocabulary and conversational skills. Special attention will be placed on the practice of writing to be used in law offices, courtrooms and similar settings. Translation and interpretation skills will be developed through forum discussions, reports and asynchronously activities using Voice Thread. In addition, the emphasis will be also placed on cultural issues that may affect successful interaction with Spanish-Speaking individuals and families faced with matters concerning the law.
Prerequisite: TRS 201 and [either TRS 206 or LIN 110] or departmental permission - This is a theory-based course dealing with English-Spanish translation and interpretation for financial/business domain. It will prepare students for successful communication in the Hispanic commercial world by building up on their existing knowledge and emphasizing practical, real-life use of oral and written Spanish. This course is designed to introduce students to essential business interpretation and translation using terminology and language situations in common business contexts, reinforcing strategies for understanding, interpreting, translating and responding to new information. This course will also help the student to be alert to the importance of cultural awareness in doing business in Spanish-speaking countries or with Hispanics in the United States.
Prerequisite: TRS 201 and [either TRS 206 or LIN 110] or departmental permission
Research and Projects
“Investment in Inertia”: Language Ideologies of Instructors and Students of Spanish as a Heritage Language
PhD Dissertation
- Investigates the impact of the academic devaluation of heritage varieties of Spanish on heritage speakers, leading to their linguistic disengagement.
- Uses qualitative and quantitative methods to study language ideologies in Spanish heritage learners’ programs.
- Methods used include questionnaires, language self-assessments, focus groups, semi-structured interviews.
- Advocates for a critical pedagogical approach to bolster language maintenance and boost students’ confidence in their Spanish proficiency.
Publications
- Rolland, M., & Borrachero, A. (2020). Alternate Maps: Heritage Telecollaboration as a Tool for Critical Pedagogy. ADFL Bulletin, 46(1), 71‒90
- Rolland, M. (2016). Ideology, Access, and Status: Spanish-English Bilinguals in the Foreign-Language Classroom. Bellaterra Journal of Teaching & Learning Language & Literature, 9(2), 94‒114
Honors, Awards and Affiliations
Dissertation Year Fellowship
The Graduate Center, CUNY, 2020
COVID-Affected Research Area Grant
The Publics Lab, The Graduate Center, CUNY
Writing Across the Curriculum Fellowship
The Graduate Center & The College of Staten Island, CUNY
Graduate Center Fellowship
The Graduate Center, CUNY
Betty Jones Scholarship
Middlebury College
North American Language & Culture Assistant
Palencia & Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain
Awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Government of Spain
Additional Information
Michael lives in Flatbush, Brooklyn with his wife, Anick, and their rescue dog, Zouzou. In his free time, he enjoys photography and collecting vintage film cameras.
