Understanding the Development of Translation Competence

This book provides a comprehensive and longitudinal study of translation competence acquisition, investigating product quality, process strategy, external resource use, difficulty, and quality, with cognitive and pedagogical implications.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2020
Publisher: Peter Lang AG

This groundbreaking book delves into the realm of translation competence, shedding valuable insights into its development and acquisition. After thoroughly examining the latest theoretical and empirical perspectives, the author presents a comprehensive and longitudinal combined process/product study of translation competence acquisition. This study, conducted among translation students with varying levels of foreign language proficiency before and after their initial 7.5 months of translator education, explores a range of aspects, including translation product quality, the strategic nature of the translation process, the utilization of external resources, and fundamental translation principles. Furthermore, it examines perceived translation difficulty and quality, as well as the influence of directionality and foreign language proficiency.

The study employs a rigorous methodology, encompassing a series of qualitative and quantitative analyses. It involves a thorough examination of the translations produced by the participants, as well as their cognitive processes during the translation task. The findings of this study have profound cognitive and pedagogical implications, offering valuable insights into the development of translation competence.

One of the key findings of the study is that translation product quality is influenced by a combination of factors, including translation principles, cognitive abilities, and external resources. The participants demonstrated a significant improvement in their translation skills and product quality over time, particularly in terms of accuracy, fluency, and coherence. The study also revealed that the strategicness of the translation process plays a crucial role in achieving high-quality translations. The participants employed a range of strategies, such as brainstorming, source-language analysis, and translation memory, to enhance their productivity and accuracy.

Furthermore, the study explored the strategicness of external resource use in translation. The participants relied on various resources, such as dictionaries, translation software, and online resources, to assist them in their translation tasks. The analysis revealed that the use of external resources can significantly improve translation quality, particularly for less proficient translators. However, it is important to note that the over-reliance on external resources may hinder the development of cognitive skills and translation competence.

The study also examined perceived translation difficulty and quality as well as the impact of directionality and foreign language proficiency. The participants reported varying levels of difficulty and quality in their translations, depending on the language pair and the specific task. The analysis revealed that directionality, or the difference between source-language and target-language cultures, can have a significant impact on translation quality. Additionally, foreign language proficiency played a role in determining translation difficulty and quality, with more proficient translators exhibiting better performance.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking book provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of translation competence acquisition. Through its rigorous methodology and comprehensive analysis, it sheds new light on the factors that contribute to translation quality and the strategies that can be employed to enhance translation skills. The findings of this study have significant implications for translation educators, practitioners, and researchers, as they contribute to the development of effective translation training programs and the improvement of translation quality in various industries.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 156 x 220 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783631811122
Edition number: New ed