Non-finite verb phrases in student translations

Abstract

One of the sources of mistakes in English to Czech translations has its roots in the different degree of condensation which is closely related to the use of non-finite verb phrases. The problem is further intensified by differences in the means used to comply with the functional sentence perspective. Teachers of foreign languages, although not primarily trained in translation, are often required to translate by their students or school authorities. This paper focuses on the most common mistakes teacher trainees make when translating non-finite phrases referring to the present or future and mainly to the past. By means of goal directed test translations, mistakes made by students are collected, analysed and possible correct translations are suggested and discussed. Such analyses used in the classroom facilitate students’ awareness of the key structural differences and leads to significant improvement in their translation performance.