Professional Translators Research Articles

CULTURE-SPECIFIC ITEMS AND TRANSLATION STRATEGIES IN TIM O’BRIEN’S THE THINGS THEY CARRIED AND ITS INDONESIAN TRANSLATION

As one of the most complicated concepts to translate, a number of translators and researchers have presented various strategies to transfer the meaning of culture-specific items (CSIs) from one language to another. Through eight translation strategies used by professional translators based on Baker, this paper aimed to find the most applicable strategy to find a way around culture-specific items. In addition, this paper also attempted to categorize CSIs found in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried according to Newmark’s five taxonomies of foreign cultural words. The comparative model in translation studies and comparative research were applied as methods to obtain and analyze data from both the source text and target text. The results showed that out of five taxonomies, social culture has the highest percentage overall with 45%. Furthermore, translation by paraphrase using unrelated words also has the highest percentage among the eight translation strategies with 31%. Therefore, it can be concluded that translation by paraphrase using unrelated words is the most applicable strategy to translate CSIs found in The Things They Carried.

Why is the quality of revision so low? Attempts to explain and tackle the situation

ABSTRACT Empirical studies on revision quality show that the added value of revision is often low, or even nonexistent. Revisers tend to miss many problems, make unnecessary changes and sometimes introduce errors into the draft translation. This alarming but scientifically-grounded picture calls for explanations and solutions. The aim of this article is to understand the situation and come up with potential solutions by drawing upon a large interview study that was carried out in various settings, mostly in translation teams. One factor is that revision is difficult for professional translators, as shown through nine difficulties cited by participants in the interviews, including limiting the number of changes and staying focused on the task. The poor results observed in empirical studies may also stem from poor training or the lack of supervision of revisers. As for solutions, in addition to promoting training and supervision, this article also advocates for advisory revision and oral revision, instead of corrective, written revision.

TOPSE for babies in Norwegian: Examining the reliability of a tool to measure parenting self-efficacy

Abstract Background Parents’ confidence in their parenting abilities and self-efficacy (PSE) is an important factor for parenting practices. The Tool to measure Parenting Self-Efficacy (TOPSE) is a questionnaire created to evaluate parenting programs by measuring PSE. Initially, it was designed for parents with children between 0-6 years old. A modified version specifically for parents of infants aged 0-6 months (TOPSE for babies) is currently being piloted. In this study, we have investigated the reliability of the Norwegian version. Methods The study included 123 parents of children aged 0-18 months who completed a digital version of the TOPSE questionnaire. Professional translators performed the translation from English to Norwegian and a back translation in collaboration with the author group. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for each of the questionnaire’s six domains, and a reliability analysis was conducted using a Bayesian framework for the total sample (parents of children aged 0-18 months) and specifically for the parents of the youngest group of children (0-6 months). Results The overall Bayesian alpha coefficient for the six domains ranged from 0.54 to 0.83 for the entire sample, and from 0.63 to 0.86 for parents with children aged 0-6 months. For two of the domains, one item in each proved to primarily contribute to the low alpha coefficients and removing them improved the reliability, especially for parents of the youngest group of children. Conclusions Reliable tools to assess PSE and evaluate parenting programs is important. The Norwegian version of TOPSE for babies seems to be a reliable tool for measuring PSE, although there are variations across the children’s age groups and domains. Key messages • The findings from this study indicate that TOPSE in Norwegian is a reliable tool for assessing PSE. • While our findings are promising, further research is warranted to establish a more robust evaluation, across both mothers and fathers, parental age and socioeconomic groups.

Racism in inpatient settings in Germany: professionals’ perspectives

Abstract Background Experiences of racial discrimination during healthcare encounters have increasingly been recognised as a source of health inequity. Narrative accounts by racialised healthcare users have dominated research in the field but it is equally important to capture the perceptions and practices of professionals to understand how racism operates in healthcare provisioning. This presentation asks: how does racism manifest in the German inpatient healthcare system (hospitals, rehabilitation facilities), and are there areas or phases of healthcare provisioning where racism is observed more frequently? Methods Problem-centred expert interviews (Döringer 2021) with 20 healthcare professionals from medicine, nursing, and therapeutic professions working in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities across three German federal states. Data were analysed using documentary method (Bohnsack 2002). Results Racism occurs widely in German inpatient settings. It manifests both structurally, e.g. in the absence of professional translators for healthcare users with limited German skills, and interpersonally, e.g. in the form of microaggressions and stereotyping but also the witholding of treatment and verbal abuse. Targets of racism are both patients and staff, especially internationally recruited healthcare workers. Respondents thereby identify night shifts, psychiatric settings and the emergency ward as contexts where racism is more likely to occur. The hierarchical nature of and pervasive power asymmetries in hospitals thereby prevent effective interventions against racial discrimination. Conclusions Racism in German healthcare institutions requires multiscalar public health interventions, particularly at the level of the institutions themselves. These include the establishment of a robust and low-threshold complaints structure, spaces for self-reflection for professionals, and mandatory anti-racism training rather than a focus on diversity-sensitive competence. Key messages • In future research approaches, structurally determined reproductions of racism should be investigated using a multi-method approach. • Experiences of powerlessness are reported by both those affected by racism and those professionals who observe racism and should be addressed by the institutions.

English Subtitling of Culture-Loaded Words in Chinese Yu Opera: Strategies and Quality Assessment

Subtitling culture-loaded words poses significant challenges for subtitlers to maintain cultural nuances and conveying intended meaning in audio-visual context. This qualitative study aimed to investigate a professional translator’s subtitling strategies for culture-loaded words in the Chinese Yu Opera Cheng Ying Rescues the Orphan and assess the quality of the translation of these words. The current study is underpinned by Pedersen’s (2011) typology of subtitling strategies and his (2017) quality assessment model. Key findings revealed that most of strategies proposed by Pedersen were employed. The study also found that the strategy of translating formal language into informal was used by the subtitler. The quality evaluation revealed that most subtitles were of high quality, with only a few minor errors. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in opera translation, enriching our understanding of professional translator’s subtitling strategies and the translation quality to enhance cross-cultural communication through the medium of traditional Chinese opera.

Preparing Translators for the Age of Generative AI: Revising Educational Curricula to Prioritize Essential Skills in an AI-Dominated Landscape

The recent ability of machines to generate text and images that are fluent, coherent, and culturally nuanced is already causing major upheavals in the translation sector. Machine translation tools have exploded in number, sophistication, and quality, and the profession of human translator needs to adapt to work within this new environment and avoid being replaced by it. This paper examines the major changes that have taken place, and which could take place in the near future, and suggests ways of revising translator-training curricula to adapt to these challenges. This is essential at a time when the profession is undergoing profound changes and when all translators and future translators need to be prepared for new skills in the field of post-editing, machine-reading, machine-cultures and multidisciplinarity. After outlining the challenges that AI is causing to the profession and to the norms and values of the translation sector in its current state, the author suggests that translator training should adapt to the new reality of the profession and not to what it used to be. The profession is undergoing profound changes, and all translators and future translators need to find new skills and knowledge in order to continue to work with AI. The article concludes with recommendations on how to design AI-friendly translation programmes that can train students for the post-AI era.

Translation and validation of Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale - Children and Adolescents (BDEFS-CA) in Azerbaijani

BackgroundDiagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders can sometimes be challenging, especially when the clinical presentation is different from what is normally observed. Evaluating executive functions can provide valuable information about children’s and adolescents’ mental states. There is no available executive function rating scale for Azerbaijani. From this perspective, there is great utility in translating and validating the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale – Children and Adolescents (BDEF-CA). For this research, we decided to use the short form of the BDEF-CA. The rating scale was translated into the Azerbaijani by a bilingual clinical psychologist and by a professional translator. After performing backward translation, the final version was prepared, read and approved by two professors in the psychology department at the university. The study population included 148 parents of children aged 6-17 years (78 males and 70 females).ResultsThe findings of this research support the validity and reliability of the Azerbaijani translation of the BDEF-CA short version (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficient were both greater than 0.9, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) results indicated an adequate fit).ConclusionThe short version of the Azerbaijani translation of the BDEF-CA could be used for assessing executive functioning deficits in children and adolescents.

Traduction et paratraduction en tant que stratégies de résistance à la réification à l’ère de l’Intelligence Artificielle (IA)

Philosopher Byung-Chul Han argues that we are living in a transition from the “era of things to the era of non-things”. According to his perspective, things do not determine the world we live in: information does. Consequently, the profession of translation has become increasingly mechanized to meet the high demand for “information”, turning readers into compulsive consumers of words. Thus, there is a significant risk of confusing the symbolic representation of words with essential reality, neglecting the importance of context and paratext in the construction of meaning. This phenomenon can lead to a loss of meaning in the act of translation, diminishing its role as a bridge between cultures and languages. Borrowing from the axiom of Portuguese intellectual Rui Pereira in a society of “non-thought”, it is crucial to reflect on how “translating in times of non-translation” operates. In this regard, the objective of this essay is to analyze how paratranslation, from the Vigo School, can be understood as a space of resistance against a process of reification of the other’s existence in the act of translating. In the “AI era”, where translation has become an increasingly mechanized act, the examination of the paratexts surrounding this process serves as a way to return to the fundamental condition of translation: the human condition.

Évolution des rôles sociaux des traducteurs et son impact sur la recherche et sur la formation universitaire

The article discusses the evolution of translator training through the experience of both a trainer and professional translator. It examines the historical and scientific perspectives of social roles and functions of translators. These serve as a starting point for analysing the current state of translation and its future. The profession of translation is currently in the process of change due to rapid technological and social advancements. The translators-to-be must possess new skills to adapt to these changes. To achieve this, universities should adapt their teaching methods and content to enable learners to cope with the new technical, social and communicational developments. These should equip translators-to-be with the necessary skills to meet the demands of today and tomorrow’s markets. Revision of the field history, past and contemporary research as well as practical professional experience provided in this article point to the training needs that must be fulfilled to meet the requirements of our time.

Analysis of Two Translation Applications : Why is DeepL Translate more accurate than Google Translate?

DeepL Translate and Google Translate are two leading machine translation tools. The focus of this research is to analyze the accuracy of translation results provided by DeepL Translation and Google Translation specifically in translating English to Indonesian. This research used a qualitative approach of document analysis and interviews. The advanced neural machine translation technology of DeepL, by utilizing extensive data, enables it to recognize language nuances and provide contextually accurate translations. In contrast, Google Translate, despite having grown to be supported by hundreds of languages, often struggles with complex sentences and idiomatic expressions. DeepL's accuracy and natural-sounding translations make it a top choice for professional and detailed translations. The study concludes that DeepL's focus on quality and accuracy, rather than the breadth of language support, makes it a more reliable translation tool.

Recreating the Poetics of the Landscape of the Asya Novel by I. S. Turgenev in the Kyrgyz Language

The subject of this study is the Kyrgyz text of the translation of the Asya story and its original. The article uses the method of comparative analysis to compare the style of the Asya story by I. S. Turgenev with his translation into the Kyrgyz language, carried out by professional translator Murzabek Omurzakov, in the aspect of recreating landscape sketches. The purpose of the study is to identify stylistic deviations of the translation text from the original and evaluate the transformation of epithets and lexemes denoting natural phenomena. As a result of the study, it is determined that the artistic originality of the original is not adequately reflected in the translation, and deviations from the stylistic features of the original are identified. Frequent repetitions are indicated, which reduced the beauty and poetry of the original narrative. Also, as a result of the analysis, the attitude of the author of the translation is revealed, which led to the substitution of concepts and epithets; a number of verbs with the meaning of the attribute are weakened and are not reproduced. It was also possible to find out how to convey such aspects of the landscape in the Kyrgyz language as the reflection of light and color shades. The author of the translation, using equivalent lexemes, recreates with maximum accuracy the poetics of the landscape as an artistic form. The results obtained have practical significance in teaching Russian literature courses at schools and universities.

TOWARDS BUILDING A TAXONOMY OF MACHINE TRANSLATION ERRORS: VERSATILITY VS TARGETED APPROACHES

This study examines problems in existing approaches to classifying machine translation (MT) errors. Despite the fact that such classifications can be based on a taxonomy developed on the material of traditional translations, MT errors have their own specifics, which should also be considered in the classification system. The first part of the presented paper discusses the concepts of machine translation and translation error per se and provides an overview of the main approaches to building a taxonomy of translation errors in traditional, “human” translation. In the second part, we discuss the existing classification systems proposed for the analysis of machine translation output and some of their limitations. The research material in the discussed papers is mainly focused on translations in pairs with the Russian language and obtained through the use of the most popular in Russia machine translation services, viz. Yandex Translator, Google Translate and Promt. In particular, we discuss the main classes of errors identified by various authors, the frequency of the errors of the said classes, as well as their gravity in terms of their ability to cause a communication failure. This study argues that there is currently no unified approach to the construction of such classifications, as well as that they are inevitably dependent on the type of the analysed text, the language pair and the chosen automated translation system. It is concluded that the optimal approach to classifying MT errors is not a universal approach, but a targeted one, that is, depending on certain translation parameters. The possibility of practical applications of machine translation in teaching foreign languages and in the work of professional translators, as well as the need for post-editing of translated texts, are also discussed.

Study on the Application of Learning Community in Translation Teaching for English Majors

Learning Communities(LCs) have been applied widely in teaching due to their potential impact on learning outcomes and motivation. Driven by the need for highly qualified and skilled future professional translators, translation teaching for English majors has always been the research focus in the research community. However, traditional translation teaching modes have time, assessment, and outcomes restrictions. In this context, this study drafted an appropriate design of LCs in translation teaching for English majors and explored its feasibility and effectiveness. It adopted tests, questionnaires, and interviews to examine the effects of LCs on students' translation proficiency, knowledge of translation, and perceptions of LCs. Employing group comparisons of tests and questionnaires as well as a summary of interviews, this study found that translation teaching in LCs enhanced learners' translation proficiency and knowledge of translation. Meanwhile, the learners’ satisfaction with the experimental teaching was quite high. Also, this study offers a range of recommendations for optimizing the application of LCs. These recommendations serve as valuable guidance for harnessing the full potential of LCs to achieve educational goals.

A Study on the Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and the Quality of Life of Syrian Refugees: Case Study for the Province of Kayseri.

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety mental disorders, as well as the quality of life of Syrian refugees and to examine the relationships between mental health disorders and the quality of life of Syrian refugees. Data were collected via face-to-face surveys with 613 adult Syrian refugees in an urban setting. Brislin's methodology was used for translating scale items, involving initial translation, back-translation and review by another professional translator. The study utilised the PTSD Scale, Beck Anxiety Scale, Depression Scale and Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). Descriptive, correlational and multivariate regression analysis were applied. Findings of correlational analysis indicate that PTSD levels among Syrian refugees are significantly related to gender, income level and employment. Depression levels are significantly associated with trauma history, healthcare service use, marital status and employment. Anxiety levels are significantly related to gender, trauma history, healthcare service use, employment and income. According to the findings of the regression analyses, the relationships between depression, quality of life and PTSD are complex. Meanwhile, anxiety decreases quality of life and increases PTSD. Quality of life moderates the relationship between depression and PTSD, as well as between anxiety and PTSD. The study concludes that the mental disorder levels of Syrian refugees, in terms of PTSD, depression and anxiety, are linked to their socio-demographic characteristics. These results highlight the importance of social, economic and cultural factors, healthcare and social services and the socio-demographic characteristics of the region where refugees have settled after displacement.

“Hunting to die looking at the epoch...” (On the “Shakespeare Sonnet” by A. Voznesensky)

The article analyzes the epochal ambitions of Andrei Voznesensky, one of the most authoritative representatives of the Sixtiers, based on the material of his so-called “Shakespeare Sonnet”. The article considers the poet’s translation skills and estimates whether the analyzed poem can be considered a translation of sonnet 66 by W. Shakespeare and whether it is a sonnet in the proper sense. It turns out that the time concept “epoch”, along with its occasional synonym “era”, is represented very widely in Voznesensky’s vocabulary. Despite the fact that the poet turned to translation more than once, he never became a professional translator: his poetic personality was too vivid. Therefore, his translations were not even transcriptions, but rather original works written based on foreign-language poems, the texts of which he addressed in one way or another. “Shakespeare Sonnet”, written by him in 1983, is strikingly different from the traditional translations of the 66 sonnet underlying it. Voznesensky maximally authorized it both stylistically and structurally in terms of versification.

The Impacts of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools on Learning Autonomy of Students in English Translation Courses

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools have played an important role in professional translation work. Nevertheless, integrating CAT tools in translation training effectively has remained a conundrum in educational institutions. This research investigates the impact of CAT tools on the learning autonomy of English-majored students in translation courses. Several CAT tools were employed in the training process of 64 students majoring in English translation for 10 weeks. The Learner Autonomy Perception Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data for pre-test and post-test. Qualitative data was also collected from 15 individual interviews. Findings reveal that the integration of CAT tools has positive impacts on components of learner autonomy, including belief about teachers’ role, metacognitive knowledge, metacognitive skills, and freedom, but it has no significant influence on motivation. Furthermore, although CAT tools facilitate opportunities to foster self-confidence, independence of learning and critical thinking skills, they may cause an over-reliance on technology and a lack of creativity and sense of ownership. Accordingly, several teaching implications are drawn in this study.

Exploring Translation Profession in Iraq: A sociological Perspective

The motivation for the current study is two-pronged. First, it tries to address the existent obstacles for establishing a translation profession in Iraq; second, on the light of the recommendations suggested by the active agents in the field, the study seeks to come up with some solutions and suggestions to upgrade the status quo. The key agents such as translators, publishers and others, and in addition to the institutions involved have all been the recent emerging research focus in translation studies. Looked at as a profession, the research avenues have been to investigate the status of translation from a sociological perspective. For this purpose, in-depth interviews conducted with a sample of translation agents in Basra city to collect data qualitatively in Iraq. The study reached some significant results that indicate the challenges facing the establishment of translation as a profession in Iraq. Based on the participated interviewees’ comments and replies, and the reviewed relevant literature, some solutions and suggestions were introduced to help improve the current situation

The Future of the Translation Profession in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Survey Results from Polish Translators, Translation Trainers, and Students of Translation

Technological advancements in computer science have led to the progressive change of the translation profession. In particular, this concerns machine translation, which has fundamentally changed the role of the translator. AI-driven tools, such as neural machine translation systems, have significantly improved translation speed and accuracy, with the translator role resembling that of an editor or proofreader. While translators have viewed the technological progress as a threat to their jobs, machine translation comes with some persistent issues, such as bias or inaccuracies stemming from insufficient context understanding and cultural nuances. Accordingly, the question of the future of human translation is more complex than it may initially appear. This paper presents the results of a pilot study on the perception of the future of the translation profession in the era of artificial intelligence.

Технологии цифровой экономики в обучении переводу

Introduction. Due to the active introduction of digital technologies into human activity, there is a change in the way of work organisation, changes in the content of processes, including the profession of translator. Inclusion of the study of the peculiarities of the use of digital economy technologies in the educational process allows preparing future specialists for their professional activities. The aim of the work is to identify the main features of digital economy technologies, to determine the possibilities and directions of their use in the activity of a translator, as well as to identify the content of digital competences and ways of forming them in linguistics students in the educational process. Materials and methods. The methodology is determined by analytical approaches to identifying the features of digital economy technologies, the comparative method allowed us to form approaches to the content of digital competence in translation activity. The method of point-rating assessment allowed us to identify the level of formed designated knowledge, skills, abilities and competences. The survey method allowed to get feedback from the 4th year students of the direction “Linguistics” participating in the sample. As a theoretical basis we used scientific works devoted to the issues of digital competences of translators, as well as digital technologies in their professional activities. The results of the study and their discussion. The introduction of the issue of the use of technologies of the digital economy into the educational process of training future translators allows us to define the content of the discipline “Information Technologies in Translation”, the components of the translator's digital competence determine the directions of competence formation and the content of the current control. The policy of import substitution and sanctions has imposed requirements on the relevance of the applications and services used, which poses difficulties for the technical organization of the learning process and allows us to formulate new criteria for the selection of software. The results of the interim control showed an increase in the efficiency and quality indicators of the learning process in the discipline. Conclusion. A properly organized digital environment, modern information technologies selected on the basis of scientific criteria, an educational process aimed at motivating professional work and assessing the formation of both digital and translation competence allow to increase the efficiency of learning and its quality in the training of translation specialists.

Investigating how cultural differences influence the translation process and the strategies used by translators to bridge cultural gaps

This study investigates the impact of cultural differences on the translation process and the strategies used by translators to bridge these cultural gaps. Through qualitative interviews with professional translators specializing in literature, business, legal, and technical translation, the research identifies key strategies employed to address cultural challenges. These strategies include localization, adaptation, the use of cultural equivalents, annotation, and consultation with cultural informants. The findings reveal that these strategies are effective in maintaining both translation accuracy and cultural relevance. Localization tailors content to the cultural context of the target audience, while adaptation handles idiomatic expressions and culturally specific references. Cultural equivalents preserve the emotional and cultural impact of the source text, and annotations provide necessary explanations for cultural references without direct equivalents. Consultation with cultural informants enhances the accuracy and appropriateness of translations, particularly in specialized fields. The effectiveness of these strategies is supported by concrete examples from the translators' experiences, demonstrating successful applications across various fields. The study's findings align with established theories in translation studies, such as those proposed by Venuti, Nida, Baker, and House, reinforcing the importance of cultural competence in translation. This research highlights the complex interplay between language and culture in the translation process and underscores the necessity for tailored strategies to address cultural nuances. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of cultural translation and offers practical recommendations for translators. As global communication continues to expand, the role of culturally competent translators remains vital in facilitating cross-cultural understanding and interaction. Future research should explore the evolving role of technology in translation and its implications for cultural competence.