Target Language Research Articles

“Stuck with Two Choices—Social Bonding or Bettering Myself Linguistically”: The Tension of English and Peer Relationships in Study Abroad

ABSTRACT The current study reports on the U.S.- and U.K.-based learners of Turkish in a short-term study abroad program. It explores the tension of English in interactions with locals and program peers in learners’ pursuit of interactional opportunities in Turkish. Weekly journals are employed to investigate the people and contexts in which learners are using Turkish. The data suggest that in interactions with (a) locals, English generally facilitated sustained interactions despite learners’ frustration with the initial tendency to default to English, and with (b) peers, interactions occurred mostly in English yet supported the emergence of English-Turkish language practices that contributed to Turkish engagement. These findings complicate a traditionally negative perspective on the use of English among Anglophones in study abroad. The article concludes by outlining the implications for reimagining the roles of different interlocutors in supporting target language engagement.

Translation Strategies for Slang Words in the Subtitles of Film “Inside Out 2”

Translation is the process of conveying the meaning of a text accurately into a target language. Slang refers to informal language commonly used in casual conversations, making it unsuitable for formal situation. This study investigates the types of slang words and the translation strategies used in the subtitles of the movie Inside Out 2. Drawing on Allan and Burridge’s (2006) classification, the research identifies four types of slang—fresh and creative, flippant, imitative, and clipping—across 229 instances in the movie. Additionally, Baker’s (1992) translation strategies were analyzed to determine the most effective methods for rendering these slang expressions into the target language. The findings reveal that "direct translation" was the most frequently employed strategy (45.41%), followed by paraphrasing with related (18.78%) and unrelated words (16.16%). The study highlights the nuanced decision-making process involved in translating culturally specific and idiomatic language, offering practical insights for translators and contributing to the broader academic discourse on subtitling practices.

REAL-TIME ACCENT TRANSLATOR

This paper introduces the "Real-Time Accent Translator," a lightweight and accessible web-based application that bridges the gap between multilingual communication and accent adaptation. Built on Flask, the system integrates Google Translate and Google Text-to-Speech (gTTS) APIs to provide seamless translation and speech synthesis. Users can input text in a source language, specify the target language, and optionally adjust accents for languages such as English. The application translates the text, synthesizes speech with the desired accent, and provides an audio output in real time. The architecture is designed for simplicity, leveraging third-party APIs to ensure rapid deployment and scalability without the need for extensive computational resources. This paper discusses the technical implementation, including API integration, RESTful communication, and real-time audio generation. Additionally, the potential use cases of the system are highlighted, including cross-cultural communication, language learning, and accessibility for non-native speakers.

Ways to enhance the status of the Arabic language between authenticity and challenges

For linguists, language is a system of abstract phonetic, phonological, lexical, synthetic, semantic, and pragmatic relations, and a tool for communication and expression. It is knowledge, culture, literature, civilization, and behavior. Therefore, language is considered the pillar of the nation and an important foundation for its civilization that expresses its entity and culture. The Arabic language is one of the basic constants of the Arab and Islamic nation, as it is the symbol of its identity and the tool of its artistic creations, and a landmark of its intellectual and literary production. Thinking about the present and future of the Arabic language is one of the most important interests that attract elites among linguists, thinkers and writers, and is closely related to the sovereignty of the Arab-Islamic nation, its culture and thought. To achieve the goal, the research was divided into three sections. The first dealt with the definition of language, Arabic and its position, the second discussed the most important contemporary challenges, and the third dealt with ways to confront these challenges and enhance the position of Arabic with all means of support and capabilities. These methods include presenting case studies of educational reforms and language policies in Arabic-speaking countries, in addition to referring to modern technical and linguistic initiatives, and comparing with languages that have succeeded in adapting to globalization (such as Chinese). These measures will have a significant impact on enabling Arabic to attain the status it deserves, its authenticity and historical precedence. The practical results of the study target decision-makers, educators and language institutions, allowing them to develop policy and executive frameworks, update curricula, and employ digital tools to protect and modernize the Arabic language in a global context. Through these applicable recommendations, the status of Arabic can be consolidated and ensure that it remains authentic and renewed at the same time.

Tasawuf Jawa: Kajian Filologis terhadap Naskah Suluk Ahya Ngulumodin

This research aims to describe the condition of Suluk Akya Ngulumodin manuscripts including: This research aims to describe the condition of the manuscript including: manuscript inventory, manuscript description and text study. The edited text uses a standard or critical edition accompanied by critical tools, and the translation of the text uses the following methods: literal, content, and free; Philological theory is used to reveal the cultural results contained in the manuscript. The object of this research is manuscript NB. 1768 of the National Library of Indonesia and BLK.0423-IS44 of the University of Indonesia Library. The results of this research are in the form of edits. Editing Suluk Akya Ngulumodin means preparing the manuscript ready to be published or printed. Editing in philology is the provision of a manuscript that is close to the original, which is a good and correct manuscript. Good means that it is easy to read and understand because it has been transcribed or transliterated (from Javanese script to Latin script) and the spelling has been adjusted to the target language. Correct means that it can be accounted for the validity of its text content, because it has been cleaned of writing errors through in-depth research.

The dynamics of translation from and into Arabic in the Arab world: bibliometric analysis of the Index Translationum UNESCO database (1979–2012)

This bibliometric study aims to analyze the translated literature in the Arab nations that exhibit the highest levels of dynamism spanning from 1979–2012, using the Index Translationum database. Furthermore, it aims to determine the status of the Arabic language in the translation industry by identifying the most frequently translated Arabic works into other languages and the languages with the highest number of translations into Arabic. The study inclusion criteria consider several factors: the source language (Arabic), the target language (Arabic), the Arab nations included in The Index Translationum, and the foreign languages that are most frequently translated to and from Arabic. It is found that despite the rich history and extensive usage of the Arabic language in the Middle East and North Africa, it is ranked 29th among the top 50 languages for translated literature. However, it is noted that the Index, which makes it possible to observe the mapping of translation in the Arab world in accordance with specific parameters, provides no statistics on certain Arab countries beyond 2012. Therefore, the Index does not provide up-to-date information. Further, the ranking of Arab countries in the Index does not seem to align with the official data of certain countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria.

Phonological Challenges Faced by Shina ESL Speakers in Gilgit-Baltistan: An Exploratory Study

The present study has explored the phonological issues which create hindrance for the Shina native speakers while learning English as a second language. The study has considered those English consonant sounds which are not present in Shina native language because Shina speakers frequently face mispronunciation problems while learning English as a second language. These hindrances regarding pronunciation preclude them not only from their expected proficiency in language but also affect the auditory and oral skills in the target language. The data was collected through questionnaires and interviews from the undergrad students studying at Karakoram International University. The obtained data were statistically analyzed through the software Praat. The results revealed that five English consonant phonemes; the post-alveolar voiced fricative /ʒ/, the dental voiceless fricative/θ/, the labiodental voiced less fricative/f/, the labiodental fricatives/v/, palate- alveolar /ð/, were creating problems for Shina speakers. It was also observed that the speakers used appropriate sounds of Shina language like /dz/,/t/,/d/,/ph/, and /w/ to replace the English phonemes. The reasons behind the problems faced by Shina speakers while learning a second language included: interference of mother tongue, the difference in the sound systems of English and Shina, medium of instruction in schools and colleges, lack of trained language teachers, and lack of motivation. To counter these issues, it is suggested that the audio-lingual method should be used to eradicate the phonological problems among the ESL learners of the Shina language.

Cultural adaptation process of six stigma assessment scales among Kannada speaking population in South India

Abstract For several years stigma researchers in India have relied on Western instruments or semi-structured stigma scales in their studies. However, these scales have not been rigorously translated and adapted to the local cultural framework. In the current study, we describe the cultural adaptation of six stigma scales with the purpose of using it in the native language (Kannada) based on translation steps of forward translation, expert review and synthesis, cultural equivalence, back translation and cognitive interview processes. Several items were modified in the target language at each stage of the cultural adaptation process as mentioned in the above steps across all scales. Cultural explanations for the same have been provided. Concepts such as “community forest” and “baby sitting" was replaced with equivalent native synonyms. We introduced native cultural and family values such as “joint family system” and modified the item of housing concept in one of the tools. The concept of “privacy” in the Indian rural context was observed to be familial than individual-based and modification of corresponding items according to the native context of “privacy”. Finally, items from each scale were modified but retained without affecting the meaning and the core construct.

Natural Equivalence in Literal Translation: A Case Study of the Bilingual Magazine LINGO

Literal translation is often used to maintain fidelity to the source text when translating into the target language. This study focuses on the application of the concept of natural equivalence in the context of literal translation in the bilingual magazine LINGO. The main objective of this study is to explore the extent to which literal translation is used in LINGO and how natural equivalence can be achieved to improve the quality of translation. The research method involves an in-depth analysis of the original and translated texts of LINGO magazine to assess the use of literal equivalents and their impact on the naturalness of the target language. The study also aims to identify areas where natural equivalence could be better used, and to suggest strategies for overcoming the problems associated with overly literal translation. The implication of these findings is the importance of using natural equivalence in translation to improve the readability and naturalness of the text. Since 53% of translation methods employed are based on literal translation, it is expected that this study provides valuable insights into the application of the concept of natural equivalence in literal translation, and a basis for further research to improve translation practices in bilingual publications.

Factors affecting L3 acquisition: effects of perceived language distance and metalinguistic awareness on L3 Korean among Hong Kong learners

ABSTRACT This study investigates the determinants influencing the acquisition of a third language (L3), examining using a language pairing that is relatively less researched and in which the L1, L2 and L3 of the learners belong to separate language families. It scrutinizes factors impacting Hong Kong learners studying Korean as their L3. A questionnaire was devised and administered to 70 Hong Kong students learning Korean. The findings revealed an increase in L3 Korean proficiency when learners perceived Korean as being linguistically distinct from their L2, English, thereby confirming the concept of non-facilitative transfer in L3 acquisition, as indicated by previous studies. Learners exhibited better L3 Korean learning outcomes with increased metalinguistic awareness, affirming the growing literature highlighting the importance of metalinguistic consciousness. Notably, substantial differences were identified between the perceived linguistic distance of the target language from L1 and L2, indicating that effective language learning might necessitate a certain congruence between objective and perceived language distances. Although this research primarily investigates L3 Korean acquisition among Hong Kong learners, it delivers significant insights on L3 acquisition factors and presents novel viewpoints for future language education initiatives.

Problemy związane z przekładem tekstów prawniczych w świetle rozważań Jeana-Claude’a Gémara

THE PROBLEM OF TRANSLATION OF LEGAL TEXTS IN THE LIGHT OF JEAN-CLAUDE GÉMAR’S REFLECTIONS The presented study aims to show the translational thought of Jean-Claude Gémar, who is one of the founders of jurislinguistics, a branch of science that deals with the linguistic analysis of legal texts. At the beginning of the article, the reasons for the researcher’s perception of law primarily as a manifestation of culture and the translation difficulties arising from this are shown. Subsequently, Gémar’s proposed translation strategies to be used when translating legal texts are analysed. Particular emphasis is placed on terms that are specific to the legal culture in question and terms that are completely unfamiliar to the target language. Finally, the researcher’s suggestions related to the training of translators of specialised texts are presented.

THE ANALISYS OF NEURAL MACHINE TRANSLATION SYSTEMS USING AUTOMATED MACHINE TRANSLATION EVALUATION METRICS

This paper introduces current-day automated metrics for neural machine translation evaluation and discusses two ways of result evaluation, which include evaluation using specific automated metrics as well as evaluation by an expert translator. Neural machine translation systems were tested for analysis and evaluation purposes. Google Translate and DeepL Translate systems, which apply a neural network approach, are presented as candidates. The following metrics were considered for evaluation: METEOR as a traditional reference-based metric, COMET as a neural reference-based metric, and COMET-kiwi as a neural reference-free metric. It can be noted that even if these metrics are automated, there is a huge human impact in this automation. Even models with a neural network approach are trained on data provided by humans, as today it is impossible to get rid of reference translations or quality estimations made by experts. Metrics allow to understand and better investigate machine translation, its features and limitations, as well as to determine the direction of its development. As a part of the analysis, a piece of source text was selected for translation, translated into the target languages using selected neural machine translation systems to get candidate translations, and then a reference translation was specified for each of them. The results of the metrics evaluation were helpful for understanding how close machine translation is to human translation, and also helped to learn more about the current stage of machine translation systems development. Expert evaluation helped to understand how well such systems are doing in terms of translation performance.

Language learners’ stereotypical representations of France: Insights for teaching French as L3 with implications for minority foreign language crisis in China

French has long been a widely embraced minority foreign language in China. However, French also faces a dilemma that there is a widespread concern over the decline of interest in learning foreign languages in current China. As a response to this ‘foreign language crisis’ in French education, this study investigates the psychological-cognitive perceptions of Chinese English-major students who are learning French as an er wai or second foreign language (L3). Focus is directed towards examining the stereotypical representations of France as the primary target language country. The students’ mental images of France were identified and assessed for favorability and prominence. It indicated that, though as L3, these learners’ mental representations of France appeared as rich and diversified, which were overwhelmingly positive. Images pertaining to geographical locations, landscape architecture, tourism resources were most frequent and prominent. The findings allowed for formulating a tentative proposition suggesting that the integrative orientation of these L3 learners significantly contributes to their study motivations. The findings suggested that students’ stereotypes about France can be utilized in the teaching curriculum to promote the course, increase learners’ interest, and enhance teaching quality. Pedagogical implications regarding the development of the cultural components and international influences of France are also discussed.

The Mechanisms of Literary Translation in the Translation of “امشب اشكی میریزد” from Persian to Kurdish according to the Theories of (Vinay) and (Darbelnet)

Literary translation is a sophisticated and tactful process that exceeds the mechanism of what to say to how to say it from linguistic, cultural and educational perspectives and accommodating these in the target language. This relates to the fact that the literary text is itself the product of interrelated socio-political, economical and religious aspects. Additionally, the literary text is a reflection of the cultural concerns of a society that it represents as well as the emotional and ideological anxieties of the individuals that are also partly the anxieties of the writers. This means that such characteristics give literary text individual and unique qualities which in turn require individual and unique processes of translation especially in the way in which each text is read, evaluated and received. In this concern, the theory and mechanism of translation play an active and significant role. Based on this, the translation of the Persian novel “امشب اشكی میریزد” written by Koros Babayi into Kurdish “ئەڤ شەڤە ڕوندكەك دێ ڕژیت”, Tonight a Tear will be Dropped, by Nishtiman M. Saleem in 2011, has been selected to analyzed in relation to the translation mechanisms of the two French theorists Jean Darbelnet (1904-1990) and Jean-Paul Vinay (1910-1999). In his translation of the aforementioned text, the translator has adopted direct translation, or word-for-word translation. Employing this mechanism has assisted the translator in transforming the novel into the target language adding his unique style. However, the translator’s lack of experience in the implementation of the (translation by omission) in which the translator, unable to find equivalents from target language for certain parts of a text in source language, makes omissions in the text. This has caused a number of negative impacts on the text. These have been explained with examples.

Comparative analysis on communication back-channels between mainland chinese and malay

Significant research has been conducted on the similarities and differences in back-channel communication between different languages, such as Japanese and English. Recently, interest has grown in examining the back-channel communication between speakers of different target languages. This study investigates the use of back channels between mainland Chinese and Malay speakers. This study aims to identify and compare the use of these back channels to improve our understanding of intercultural communication dynamics. Ten Malay and ten Chinese female students from higher education institutions in Malaysia participated in this study. Conversations were recorded and analysed. Both similarities and differences were identified in the use of verbal and non-verbal back channels between Chinese and Malay speakers. The study highlighted specific cultural nuances that affect back-channel communication, which can influence how cues are interpreted and responded to in intercultural settings. Insights gained can help reduce misunderstandings and improve communication efficacy between speakers of these languages. The findings provide valuable insights into intercultural communication dynamics and contribute to the field of language teaching by integrating cultural nuances into foreign language curricula. This approach can enhance learners' communication competence by making them more aware of culturally specific back-channel cues.

Interpreting teacher talk in the Spanish language classroom: Teachers’ reflections on their beliefs and practice

ABSTRACT In line with the multimodal turn in second language (L2) teaching and learning, this study investigates the ways in which teachers of Spanish as an L2 rely on multimodal resources for classroom communication. Informed by Farrell’s (2015) Framework for Reflecting on Practice, four L2 Spanish teachers in an urban school district in southeast United States reflect on their beliefs regarding target language (TL) and first language (L1) use for instruction and whether these beliefs align with their classroom practice. Using data generated from classroom observations and semi-structured interviews, findings indicate that teachers value authentic language use, which for multilinguals can include reliance on a shared L1 and other visual aids, reflective of translanguaging practices. However, in practice, teachers’ language-use is constrained by unique contexts, including individual student needs and programme design. Implications for this work include the benefit of critical reflection as a tool to raise teachers’ self-awareness of language alternations and use of semiotic resources, promoting intentionality behind pedagogically supported teacher talk.

UNVEILING TABOO TRANSLATIONS INTO VIETNAMESE: SUBTITLING STRATEGIES IN “THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION”

This study explores subtitling strategies employed in translating taboo words within the film The Shawshank Redemption into Vietnamese. Employing a mixed-methods approach involving both quantitative and qualitative analyses, the research systematically collects and categorizes taboo words in the film and evaluates the corresponding translation strategies employed in Vietnamese subtitles. Six strategies, including Taboo for Taboo, Omission, Euphemism, Direct translation, Substitution, and Translation by more general words, are identified. The predominant use of the Taboo for Taboo strategy is highlighted, allowing the translator to preserve the original expressive impact while ensuring comprehension in the target language. Despite its efficacy, the Taboo for Taboo strategy encounters cultural constraints. The research advocates prioritizing this approach to maintain fidelity, acknowledging challenges related to censorship and adherence to target language norms. The study underscores the sophisticated nature of translating taboo expressions, considering contextual factors, translation purpose, and intended message. Emphasizing the underexplored nature of offensive language in Audiovisual Translation, particularly in subtitling, the study underscores the pivotal role of taboo words in character portrayal and emotional expression. The call for further research in Vietnamese subtitled translations aims to provide valuable insights for navigating the challenges posed by low register expressions. The study concludes by advocating for a well-adjusted approach that upholds fidelity while addressing the intricacies of language and cultural sensitivity in subtitling, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in translating taboo words in audiovisual content.

Exploring Cross-linguistic Influence from L1 Tagalog to L2 English in Article Use

The study examines the use of English articles among L1 Tagalog-speaking learners within the framework of cross-linguistic influence. The study employs a descriptive research approach using content analysis to explore the nature of errors in depth. Two stages of writing tasks were administered to purposively 42 pre-service teachers aged 16–18 over 15 weeks. Grounded in error analysis, the findings revealed that addition errors were most prevalent, explained through stimulated recall interviews. These results provided reflective insights into the learners' use of the L1 feature instead of the target language. The study also identified factors such as translation, overgeneralization of rules, misunderstanding of countability, and issues with specificity and definiteness. These findings shed light on the relevance of error analysis and cross-linguistic influence in understanding linguistic challenges, informing targeted instruction, and promoting focused practice on article usage. By addressing these issues, educators can enhance learners' English proficiency and foster culturally responsive language instruction in diverse classrooms.

Legal, Technical, and Linguistic Nuances in Patent Translation in English-Chinese Contexts: Based on an Invalidated Patent

Patent translation constitutes a highly specialized domain that necessitates a profound comprehension of both technical terminology and legal frameworks. This understanding is imperative to ensure precise technical accuracy, which is critical for maintaining the legal enforceability and scope of patents, as well as ensuring terminological consistency. The translation of patents presents multifaceted challenges requiring meticulous attention. Through a comprehensive examination of terminological consistency, legal considerations, cultural variances, and the inherent subjectivity of the translator, best practices can be identified to enhance the accuracy of patent translations. The translator's subjectivity plays a pivotal role in this process; it is not merely confined to adhering to dictionary definitions or navigating syntactical complexities. Rather, it involves a holistic and judicious interpretation of the inventor's intent, which must be effectively conveyed in the target language while simultaneously accommodating potential legal implications. This subjectivity transcends conventional principles and encompasses a broader spectrum of considerations. Furthermore, modern digital technology offers significant support in the realm of patent translation. The integration of advanced tools can facilitate the translation process, although it remains essential for translators to possess both linguistic proficiency and specialized knowledge in relevant technical fields. This dual expertise ensures that both the scientific integrity and legal validity of patent documents are preserved during translation.

FEATURES OF LITERARY TRANSLATION

The aim of this paper is to determine the phenomenon of artistic translation. In modern philological science, there are various directions of studying the speech characteristics of characters as the primary component of a character's image in a literary work. Contemporary literary studies consider the speech characteristics of characters as one of the aspects of creating characters in literary texts of different genres. In linguistics, the subject of study is based on the material of oral speech and texts that present general, typological, and specific features of communication, as well as the specifics of the language of different social groups. Recently, there has been a growing interest in issues related to reproducing characters' speech characteristics in literary translations. The need for further study of the features of creating speech characteristics and their adequate transfer to the target language underscores the relevance of this research. The results of the analysis shed light on the most common types of translation transformations for conveying speech characteristics, allowing conclusions to be drawn regarding the norms of the target culture.