Saudi EFL learners’ ability in literary and technical translation

Abstract

Different perspectives invade our mind about the complexity level in translation attributed to text types. A translator may perform better in one type of text in comparison to other text types. This study probed the translation ability of Saudi EFL students in two text types. It also explored whether the participants scored differently in literary or technical text types. Finally, the study measured the correlation between the students' performance in the two text types. A translation test was used to collect data from the Saudi students enrolling at the English language and translation department at Qassim University. Seven students' answers were analyzed and scored out of a maximum score of 24. Findings showed that Saudi EFL students achieve up to 75.70% in the translation of the two text types. Results also showed that there was no difference between students' translation ability attributed to text type (Sig. =.79), though individual performance showed better output in technical translation. Finally, the study indicated the existence of high correlation between students' scores in the literary and technical translation (R=.867*). The study concluded with recommending more investigation to refute the claim that students' translation ability differs across text types.