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Article published In:
Target
Vol. 18:2 (2006) ► pp.337–366

The effect of translator training on interference and difficulty

| Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
Twenty-two translation students translated two texts using Translog keystroke-monitoring software, once at the beginning of their studies and again three semesters later. Performance on two measures of interference, lexicalizable strings and false cognates, improved significantly among both the students working into L1 and those working into L2. Students working into L1 found the task as difficult after three semesters as they had at the beginning of their studies. For students translating into their L2, translation did get significantly easier as judged by the objective measures of time and keystrokes, but the students’ subjective assessment of difficulty and satisfaction was unchanged. This study also indicates that students appreciate the contribution of translation theory to practice.
Keywords: translator training, false cognates, lexicalization, interference, time, keystrokes, difficulty, satisfaction, Translog, directionality, theory and practice
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Interference
    • Lexicalization
    • False cognates
    • Difficulty
  • Method
  • Subjects
  • Materials
    • Source texts
    • Instructions
    • Post-task questionnaires
    • Translog software
  • Procedure
  • Data analysis
  • Findings
    • Guide to the tables
    • Experiment 1: Interference
    • Experiment 2: Difficulty
  • Discussion
    • Interference
    • Difficulty
    • Directionality
  • Implications for training and future directions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Appendices
    • Appendix A: Source texts
      • Education text
      • Fast Lane text
    • Appendix B: Sample post-task questionnaire
  • References
Published online: 1 May 2007
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.18.2.07mal
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