The process and product of translation revision: empirical data from student translators using eye tracking and screen recording

Abstract

ABSTRACT As the final phase of the translation process, self-revision has traditionally been a relatively neglected component despite it being widely acknowledged as critical to achieving high-quality translation and in translator training. To identify effective educational interventions for self-revision, the current paper reports on a study that collected empirical data from student translators (n = 72) who were randomly assigned to different conditions (traditional, screen recording, and eye tracking) in highly ecologically valid bidirectional tasks. Six features of eye tracking and screen recording were identified as indicators of potential translation difficulties which could be used to direct student translator’s overt visual attention in the revision phase. We found that eye tracking was the most effective way of assisting student translators in self-revising their translations, regardless of the direction of translation. Further, average fixation duration and backward saccades in the eye tracking recording condition, and pauses and concurrent revision activity in the screen recording condition were the most useful features in helping the student translators to identify potential translation errors and thereby enhance the quality of their translation after revisions. Qualitative data showed that the student translators became more confident and had a clearer understanding of their own translation processes after watching the recordings.