Translation Method Research Articles

German mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (G-MAUQ) and short version (G-MAUQ-S): Translation and validation study

BackgroundThe use of mobile health applications is increasingly common among the general public and in healthcare systems. With such apps percolating into the classic healthcare sector, the necessity of sound and standardized evaluation grows. The mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) provides a novel and custom-tailored psychometrically validated instrument to capture users’ perception of the usefulness and usability of an mHealth application. So far, this questionnaire is only available in English, Malay and Chinese. The aim of this study was to translate and validate a German version of the MAUQ (G-MAUQ). Further, we developed a short scale with 6 items (G-MAUQ-S) in German. MethodsWe used the Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretest and Documentation (TRAPD) method to translate the MAUQ. Subsequently, we assessed content validity with 15 expert ratings and face validity with 15 German speaking mHealth users. To further validate the questionnaire, we used data from 148 participants of an RCT examining symptom checkers in the Emergency Department to assess convergent validity by correlating the G-MAUQ with the German version of the System Usability Scale and discriminant validity by correlating the G-MAUQ with other unrelated questionnaires. Lastly, we developed a short version by assessing item discrimination, factor loadings, correlation with the full scale and construct validity. ResultsAll but one item showed sufficient content validity with item-level content validity index values between CVI-I = 0.8 and 1.0. Face validity was excellent with item-level face validity index values ranging from FVI-I = 0.87 to 1. Convergent validity was sufficient with r = 0.769, and discriminant validity was sufficient with values between r = −0.014 and r = 0.220. An internal consistency of Cronbach's α = 0.93 demonstrated high reliability. The short scale showed sufficient convergent validity (r = 0.762) and discriminant validity (r between −0.012 and 0.201). ConclusionsA validated and reliable G-MAUQ can be used by researchers and practitioners to assess the usability of mHealth interventions. We also provide the German mHealth App Usability Questionnaire – Short Version (G-MAUQ-S) with six questions to quickly assess the usability of an intervention.

Multiple-ResNet GAN: An enhanced high-resolution image generation method for translation from fundus structure image to fluorescein angiography.

Fluorescein angiography (FA) is a diagnostic method for observing the vascular circulation in the eye. However, it poses a risk to patients. Therefore, generative adversarial networks have been used to convert retinal fundus structure images into FA images. Existing high-resolution image generation methods employ complex deep network models that are challenging to optimize, which leads to issues such as blurred lesion boundaries and poor capture of microleakage and microvessels. In this study, we propose a multiple-ResNet generative adversarial network (GAN) to improve model training, thereby enhancing the ability to generate high-resolution FA images. First, the structure of the multiple-ResNet generator is designed to enhance detail generation in high-resolution images. Second, the Gaussian error linear unit (GELU) activation function is used to help the model converge rapidly. The effectiveness of the multiple-ResNet is verified using the publicly available Isfahan MISP dataset. Experimental results show that our method outperforms other methods, achieving better quantitative results with a mean structural similarity of 0.641, peak signal-to-noise ratio of 18.25, and learned perceptual image patch similarity of 0.272. Compared with state-of-the-art methods, the results showed that using the multiple-ResNet framework and GELU activation function can improve the generation of detailed regions in high-resolution FA images.

Unveiling hybrid culinary cultures in Macao: a corpus-assisted multimodal approach to the translation of Macanese cuisine

ABSTRACT This study investigates the special foodscape and hybrid culinary cultures in Macao through the translation of Macanese cuisine. It employs a corpus-assisted multimodal approach, with the concept of intersemiotic translation and multimodal theories as the theoretical basis for analysis and discussion. The data under investigation is a self-built multimodal database of Macanese cuisine translations. The study first examines the ingredients and cooking methods in Macanese cuisine dish names and then delves into the translation strategies and methods used in the translations across Portuguese, English and Chinese. Multimodal analysis is also conducted to explore the intersemiotic translation between the verbal and visual materials of Macanese cuisine. The research results show that hybrid culinary features are represented in the ingredients, cooking methods and translations of Macanese cuisine, constituting an inclusive, integrated and diversified foodscape in Macao. Moreover, the intersemiotic translation between the verbal and the visual could highlight particular ingredients and cooking methods, showcase the enticing appearance of the dishes, and convey the hybrid culinary cultures in Macanese cuisine. This study holds the potential to enrich research on food translation from a multimodal perspective, while also contributing to the translation and cultural transmission of Macanese cuisine and culinary cultures in Macao.

Analyzing the distribution of progression-free survival for combination therapies: A study of model-based translational predictive methods in oncology

Progression-free survival (PFS) is an important clinical metric in oncology and is typically illustrated and evaluated using a survival function. The survival function is often estimated post-hoc using the Kaplan-Meier estimator but more sophisticated techniques, such as population modeling using the nonlinear mixed-effects framework, also exist and are used for predictions. However, depending on the choice of population model PFS will follow different distributions both quantitatively and qualitatively. Hence the choice of model will also affect the predictions of the survival curves.In this paper, we analyze the distribution of PFS for a frequently used tumor growth inhibition model with and without drug-resistance and highlight the translational implications of this. Moreover, we explore and compare how the PFS distribution for combination therapy differs under the hypotheses of additive and independent-drug action.Furthermore, we calibrate the model to preclinical data and use a previously calibrated clinical model to show that our analytical conclusions are applicable to real-world setting. Finally, we demonstrate that independent-drug action can effectively describe the tumor dynamics of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) given certain drug combinations.

The Comments on Ezra Pound

As one of the representatives of Western literary theories, Ezra Pound not only made outstanding contributions to the development of the Western translation theory, but also promoted the communication between Chinese and Western poetics. His translation practice is rich and far-reaching. He also proposes the creative translation method. For example, Pound’s translation of ancient Chinese poetry can show remarkable creativity. Therefore, after sorting out relevant materials, this paper gives a brief introduction to him, his translation theories and translation practices, and also concludes his translation thoughts and his immense influence on the translation field, aiming to provide case references for translators to study and enrich their understanding of the representative figures of the Western literary theory.

The Analysis of English Translation Methods of Tang Poetry based on Figure and Background Theory

The Analysis of English Translation Methods of Tang Poetry based on Figure and Background Theory

Psychometric validation of the Persian version of the CarerQol-7D instrument on caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Providing informal care can deeply influence, both physically and emotionally, the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers, especially when the disease becomes chronic. CarerQol-7D is one of the most common instruments for measuring informal care. We aimed to develop a Persian version of the CarerQol-7D in the context of Iranian caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). To this end, we investigated the validity and reliability of the mentioned instrument. Methods: In this cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling method, the backward-forward translation method was used to achieve the Persian version of CarerQol-7D. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cronbach's alpha was also reported for this instrument for the evaluation of internal consistency. Results: This tool was evaluated based on a sample of 452 caregivers of patients with MS from Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Most of the participants were men (62.6%) and spouses of patients (56.6%). Based on the correlation of caregivers' characteristics, the clinical validity of this tool was observed to be relatively moderate. The Cronbach's alpha for this tool was estimated to be 65%. The normed fit index (NFI) (0.906), relative fit index (RFI) (0.812), incremental fit index (IFI) (0.948), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) (0.892), comparative fit index (CFI) (0.946), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) (0.049) were the model fit indices for the CarerQol-7D instrument. Conclusion: The findings showed good internal consistency and strong validity of the CarerQol-7D. Thus, we suggest researchers use this instrument to measure the QoL of caregivers for use in economic evaluations.

MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS OF SUNDANESE FOLKLORE, NYI ROROKIDUL

This article discusses multiple translations of Sundanese folklore, The Legend of Nyi Rorokidul from the Sundanese language as the source text into Indonesian as the first target text and English as the second target text. The background of this research involves two problems: there is still limited research dealing with multiple translations as well as the research about the translation of Sundanese folklore into English seen from internet search. The data source of this research is a book of a collection of Sundanese folklore consisting of Sundanese text as the source text, Indonesian as the first target text, and English as the second target text. The translation of the Sundanese folklore in the book also involves several foreign languages among others are Arabic, and Russian with the form that the foreign language text is given at the beginning of the book, and Indonesian is in the middle, then Sundanese language is at the final part. The book used for this research is entitled The Most Popular Sundanese Folklore: Myth, Legend, and Tales with Indonesian as the first target text and English as the second target text. By using descriptive-qualitative methods, this research aims to answer two questions: (i) What methods of translation are identified in the multiple translations of Sundanese folklore, Nyi Rorokidul; (ii) are the methods of translation identified in the first target text, Indonesian, and the second target text, English, the same? The results show that the methods of translation in the multiple translations of Sundanese folklore, Nyi Rorokidul involved literal translation, adaptation, free translation and communicative translation. Some parts of the source text are translated using the same methods in both target text and the rest is translated using a different method.

Turkish Validity and Reliability of Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire

Introduction: Overweight and obesity in childhood is a serious health problem. It causes many health problems; especially cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Family eating behaviors, habits, home eating, and physical activity environment play an important role in shaping children’s behaviors and determining their weight status. Identification of these factors may be effective in the treatment and prevention of weight problems in children. In the literature review, a Turkish scale that could measure these factors could not be reached. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Turkish validity and reliability of the Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire-Revised. Method: The text of scale was translated into Turkish using group translation and back translation methods. Firstly, as a pilot study group, pre-tests and retests were applied to the parents of students from different schools in Adana with a three-week interval. Then, in the main study group, the scale was applied to the parents in schools and parents of children in outpatient clinics. Findings: In the pilot study; Cronbach’s alpha value was 0,787 showing internal consistency, and the r value was calculated as 0,761 (p<0,001) according to the Pearson correlation analysis showing the correlation between the pretest and retest. In the main study, Cronbach’s alpha value was 0,780. The total scores of overweight/obese children were significantly higher than the total scores of normal-weight children. The total score of the scale was able to determine the weight status of the child with 71 % success. Results: According to these validity and reliability values; it can be suggested that the Turkish version of the Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire-Revised can be used in a similar Türkiye population.

Human versus Neural Machine Translation Creativity: A Study on Manipulated MWEs in Literature

In the digital era, the (r)evolution of neural machine translation (NMT) has reshaped both the market and translators’ workflow. However, the adoption of this technology has not fully reached the creative field of literary translation. Against this background, this study aims to explore to what extent NMT systems can be used to translate the creative challenges posed by idioms, specifically manipulated multiword expressions (MWEs) found in literary texts. To carry out this pilot study, five manipulated MWEs were selected from a fantasy novel and machine-translated (English > Spanish) by four NMT systems (DeepL, Google Translate, Bing Translator, and Reverso). Then, each NMT output as well as a human translation are assessed by six professional literary translators by using a human evaluation sheet. Based on these results, the creativity obtained in each translation method was calculated. Despite the satisfactory performance of both DeepL and Google Translate, HT creativity was highly superior in almost all manipulated MWEs. To the best of our knowledge, this paper not only contributes to the ongoing study of NMT applied to literature, but it is also one of the few studies that delve into the almost unexplored field of assessing creativity in neural machine-translated MWEs.

Deep learning-based virtual staining, segmentation, and classification in label-free photoacoustic histology of human specimens

In pathological diagnostics, histological images highlight the oncological features of excised specimens, but they require laborious and costly staining procedures. Despite recent innovations in label-free microscopy that simplify complex staining procedures, technical limitations and inadequate histological visualization are still problems in clinical settings. Here, we demonstrate an interconnected deep learning (DL)-based framework for performing automated virtual staining, segmentation, and classification in label-free photoacoustic histology (PAH) of human specimens. The framework comprises three components: (1) an explainable contrastive unpaired translation (E-CUT) method for virtual H&E (VHE) staining, (2) an U-net architecture for feature segmentation, and (3) a DL-based stepwise feature fusion method (StepFF) for classification. The framework demonstrates promising performance at each step of its application to human liver cancers. In virtual staining, the E-CUT preserves the morphological aspects of the cell nucleus and cytoplasm, making VHE images highly similar to real H&E ones. In segmentation, various features (e.g., the cell area, number of cells, and the distance between cell nuclei) have been successfully segmented in VHE images. Finally, by using deep feature vectors from PAH, VHE, and segmented images, StepFF has achieved a 98.00% classification accuracy, compared to the 94.80% accuracy of conventional PAH classification. In particular, StepFF’s classification reached a sensitivity of 100% based on the evaluation of three pathologists, demonstrating its applicability in real clinical settings. This series of DL methods for label-free PAH has great potential as a practical clinical strategy for digital pathology.

Translation Methods and Reporting Profits of Listed Pharmaceutical Companies in Nigeria

Translation Methods and Reporting Profits of Listed Pharmaceutical Companies in Nigeria

Floral Lexicons in Javanese Proverbs: An Ecolinguistic Study

This study aimed to analyze and elaborate on the dimensions of meaning in the floral lexicons in Javanese proverbs. Employing an ecolinguistic approach, this study focused on the expressions in Javanese proverbs that entail floral lexicons. The data were collected using an uninvolved observation method, as well as documentation, observation, and interviews with relevant informants. The data were then analyzed using the referential identity method, translational identity method, and immediate constituent analysis or distributional technique. Further, data triangulation was also conducted to validate the data with the following steps: discussion, re-checking, and expert consultation. The result shows that the floral lexicons entailed in Javanese traditional proverbs take the form of words and phrases. In word or morpheme form, the lexicons are categorized as nouns and polymorphemic expressions consisting of affix, reduplicative, and compound words. The floral lexicons in Javanese proverbs, in accordance with the cultural values they embody, include depicting attitudes and worldviews; reflecting negative attitudes; being related to strong determination; portraying the relationship between humans and God; and illustrating human interactions with other humans, as well as their connection with nature. The lexicons also represent the thought process and cultural values of Javanese society.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the empowerment scale of pregnant women in China context: An integrative method of translation and linguistic validation.

To translate the Empowerment Scale for Pregnant Women (ESPW) into Chinese and to assess its linguistic validity. The integrative method of the translation process, the Delphi technique, and cognitive interviews were used to implement cross-cultural adaptation and enhance comprehensibility and linguistic validation. This study recruited 14 experts in the expert review and cognitively reviewed 15 pregnant women. The two-round Delphi method created agreement on cultural applicability. The results of content validity achieved good levels: The item-level content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.78 to 1.00, and the scale-level content validity index, calculated using two different formulas, were 0.97 and 0.81, respectively. Kappa values ranged from 0.74 to 1.00. Pregnant women could understand most of the items and response options in the cognitive interview. The revisions to the wording were made based on suggestions from experts and pregnant women. The prefinal simplified Chinese ESPW was semantically and conceptually equivalent to the English version, which was well prepared for further psychometric tests in the next stage of cross-cultural adaptation. This comprehensive method successfully developed a Chinese tool to measure the empowerment of pregnant women, indicating the international applicability of this tool and the methodological scientific nature. The simplified Chinese ESPW has the potential to support the identification of empowerment levels of pregnant women and the evaluation of the effectiveness of health education and promotion programmes.

Does Translation Technology Affect Translators' Performance? A Meta-Analysis

Translation technologies, including computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, translation memory (TM) systems, and machine translation (MT), are increasingly utilized in professional translation workflows and training. However, the effects of these technologies on translators' performance remain inconclusive. This meta-analysis examines the overall impact of translation technologies on translator performance by synthesizing data from 12 experimental studies published between 2000 and 2023. The study investigates the effectiveness of translation technologies compared to traditional translation methods. The findings reveal a significant positive effect size, indicating that translation technologies have the potential to improve translators’ performance relative to purely human translation. The integration of advanced interactive CAT systems and post-editing MT demonstrates larger advancements compared to basic TM match retrieval. Moreover, experienced professional translators derive greater benefits from incorporating technologies than student translators, highlighting the importance of leveraging automation capabilities alongside human expertise. However, the study identifies significant heterogeneity among the studies, influenced by factors such as translation direction. Translators translating into their native language exhibit greater advancements, emphasizing the advantages of technologies that strengthen fluency in the target language.

Enhancing Chinese–Braille translation: A two-part approach with token prediction and segmentation labeling

Visually assistive systems for the visually impaired play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for the visually impaired. Assistive technologies for the visually impaired have undergone a remarkable transformation with the advent of deep learning and sophisticated assistive devices. In particular, the paper utilizes the latest machine translation models and techniques to accomplish the Chinese–Braille translation task, providing convenience for visually impaired individuals. The Traditional end-to-end Chinese–Braille translation approach incorporates Braille dots and Braille word segmentation symbols as tokens within the model’s vocabulary. However, our findings reveal that Braille word segmentation is significantly more complex than Braille dot prediction. The paper proposes a novel Two-Part Loss (TPL) method that treats these tasks distinctly, leading to significant accuracy improvements. To enhance translation performance further, we introduce a BERT-Enhanced Segmentation Transformer (BEST) method. BEST leverages knowledge distillation techniques to transfer knowledge from a pre-trained BERT model to the translate model, mitigating its limitations in word segmentation. Additionally, soft label distillation is employed to improve overall efficacy further. The TPL approach achieves an average BLEU score improvement of 1.16 and 5.42 for Transformer and GPT models on four datasets, respectively. In addition, The work presents a two-stage deep learning-based translation approach that outperforms traditional multi-step and end-to-end methods. The proposed two-stage translation method achieves an average BLEU score improvement of 0.85 across four datasets.

A Revolutionary Approach to Imparting English Language Skills

It is universally acknowledged that a command over spoken and written English is a sinequanon of success, professional or personal. The methods, principles and techniques adopted in schools and colleges in non-native English countries, not to speak of India, have not met the expected success in equipping students with the requisite linguistic skills to express themselves through speaking and writing. So many discussions have taken place among scholarly circles to address the lacunae resulting in the formulation of various methods like the Grammar Translation Method, the Direct Method, The Audio-Lingual Method, the Silent Way, the Bilingual Method, Community Language Learning, Communicative Language Teaching Approach, Structure Approach and Situational Approach. In the luxuriant of these numerous methods, the right approach becomes conspicuous by its absence in other words all these approaches will only help the learner be confused in acquiring English language competence. This rather gloomy picture has made the writer of this paper seek a solution to the problem resulting in his invention of an easy approach on the part of English language teachers in imparting English communication skills.

Improving Third Year English Students’ Translation of Text Genres by Using The Method of Comparing the Position of Words in Phrases or Sentences in the Text Genres

This article presents an action research study undertaken at the Faculty of Education, Souphanouvong University during the 2020-2021 academic year. The aim was to determine whether teaching a method of comparing the position of words in the source language (English) and the target language (Lao) could improve third-year English students’ translation of text genres, and whether they were able to learn new vocabulary using this procedure. The sample comprised the 19 students from class 3ENT who studied English as their major. Research instruments included a pre-test, post-test, and questionnaire. Both pre-test and post-test consisted of English to Lao and Lao to English translation, and the questionnaire included 12 closed and open-ended questions. For the experimental method of teaching-learning translation, specific instruction for comparing the position of words between English and Lao was provided for three hours, followed by further practice in translating text genres for two hours per week over 16 weeks. This was implemented in-class and online. Finally, the pre-test and post-test scores of the 19 students were compared to see the difference in students’ translation ability. SPSS version 20 was used to calculate all the data. The results of this study showed the mean of the pre-test was 13.5263 with SD = 5.30585, and the mean of the post-test was 28.5263 with SD = 5.95696, while the t-test = -8.652 and p = 0.000. Before learning this technique for translation, 37% of students did not know how to translate English phrases or sentences into the Lao language by themselves, 47% of them knew a few ways, and 16% of students knew and understood how to use many techniques by themselves. After the experimental method was taught, 63% of students felt they knew how to translate English to Lao by themselves. In addition, 84% of students indicated they could learn new vocabulary from text genres, while 16% said they could learn a little new vocabulary from them.

The Turkish version of the Laval quality of life Questionnaire reliability and validity in obesity

Obesity is a disease that affects quality of life. This study was planned to evaluate the Turkish validity and reliability of the LAVAL quality of life questionnaire. The study was conducted in Izmir Bayraklı District Health Directorate Healthy Life Center No. 1 (October 1, 2021-November 15, 2021) and Gaziemir Municipality (November 15, 2021-March 15, 2022). Dokuz Eylul University Ethics Committee accepted the study on 22.12.2021, with the decision number 2021/38-08. People with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in the study. In addition to the Laval Questionnaire, the SF-12 general health quality of life questionnaire and the Obese Specific Quality of Life Scale were used. For the adaptation of the Turkish version of the questionnaire, language validity was first ensured by the back translation method. The mean age of the 235 volunteer participants was 49.11 ± 13.1 years. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient for exploratory factor analysis was calculated as 0.92. RMSEA was 0.61 (RMESA<0.80). Cronbach's alpha value, which is an indicator of the internal consistency coefficient of the Laval Questionnaire in obese individuals, was calculated as 0.95. Obesity Specific Quality of Life and SF-12 Quality of Life Scale scores were found to have a statistically significant effect on the Laval Questionnaire score (p<0.05). The Laval Questionnaire is a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure the quality of life of individuals with obesity in the Turkish population.

Role making in translational contexts

Abstract This study examines the roles of intercept interpreters/translators (IITs) in covert communication surveillance. Despite their increasing importance in global criminal investigations, their roles remain underexplored in academic research. Utilizing sociological theories of role taking and role making, three distinct IIT roles emerge: “distant service providers,” “deputy police officers,” and “masters of balance.” Each role reflects unique approaches influenced by professional identity and self-defined involvement in police investigations. At the same time, the research highlights the relevance of police trust in IITs. According to our study, role making functions as a negotiation between all stakeholders involved, challenging dichotomous perspectives on norms and expectations. The study advocates for a nuanced approach to IIT roles that integrates forensic-criminalistic considerations into translation practices. It also urges criminal justice authorities to rethink interpreting and translation methods by prioritizing meaningful translations that align with ethical standards and forensic principles.