Detecting Mistranslations Based on Logical Judgement: The Case of English-Kurdish Translation Test at the University Level

Abstract

This paper explores the possibility of detecting mistranslations based on logical judgement. The paper examines translations carried out from English into Kurdish by translation trainees at the university level. The importance of this method of translation assessment is that the target text (TT) alone is sufficient for the purpose of identifying mistranslations based on logical judgement, without any reference to the source text (ST). The logical judgement can be based on an established fact, general knowledge or common sense. This model of translation assessment is particularly important in translation settings where the process of translation revision is carried out on the translation product alone due to time constraints, such as in the case of journalistic translation. The model can be crucial for translation students and translation examiners alike. On the one hand, it will help translation students to avoid mistranslations that run against logic. On the other hand, it will help translation examiners to detect such mistranslations if and when they occur in an actual translation.