Adapted and Translated Texts for the Needs of Learning Bulgarian as a Foreign Language

Abstract

When talking about the role of the text in foreign language learning, an important differentiation should be made between an authentic, adapted text for educational purposes, and a completely invented text. The adapted text goes through a variety of steps such as shortening, selecting parts, simplifying, co-contextualizing (giving learners the opportunity to activate the cognitive scheme through the use of pictures, illustrations, photographs accompanying the text body), creating a phrasebook. An essential element of foreign language training is working with texts for translation. Translation is not just transferring words and sentences from one language to another. Transmission is from one culture to another. Culture is very clearly manifested in the linguistic picture of the world. Translation aims to achieve effective intercultural communication. The article describes practical observations from the work with adapted and translated texts during the Bulgarian language classes for foreign students from the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.