nr="13"Interdisciplinary Research Methods: Considering the Potential of Community-based Participatory Research in Translation

Different disciplines have different research traditions, including the use of discipline-specific research methods. However, adopting methods from other disciplines can provide fresh perspectives and lead to new insights. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) originated in the population and public health field, but it has potential to be applied in a broader range of disciplines. This article explains the fundamental characteristics of CBPR, explores some misconceptions associated with this method, and describes some potential barriers to its application. Finally, using the example of a machine translation literacy project, the article walks readers through this example of how CBPR was applied to a translation- related research project and evaluates the success of this method for the project.

nr="141"Intercultural Communication at the Heart of a Translation Quality Assessment Model

Effective communication is crucial in a globalized communication technology-driven world. Translation and communication disciplines seem to meet in the field of Intercultural Communication, the study of communication between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Translation, an interlinguistic and intercultural enterprise, generates quality translation products which portray not only a suitable linguistic format but also a cross- cultural component carefully thought out by expert translators. Fully aware of their responsibility in developing translator-to- be intercultural communication competence, higher education institutions did make their contributions for their graduates to become expert translators producing quality translations. Two such proposals are analysed to discern whether a traditional general approach effectively includes relevant intercultural components identified in a more recent study. At the outset, Lee-Jahnke’s 2001 comprehensive translation quality assessment model is explored to find out the extent and manner in which intercultural matters are taken in, thus making the evaluation tool suitable for academic and field work assessment. Then, PICT’s 2012 specific intercultural competence framework, developed as part of European Union- funded “Promoting Intercultural Competence in Translators” project, is reviewed to identify specific intercultural competence fields and show their degree of correspondence with relevant sections in the general assessment model and its adequacy for judging translation quality.

Taking Stock of Written Retrospective Protocols Used in Translator Education

Of all the online and offline methods for probing into the translation processes of student translators, written retrospective protocols are reportedly the earliest, most widely and easily administered didactic and assessment tool used in and outside classrooms. Despite their recorded advantages, a close examination of both English and Chinese literature reveals a plethora of approaches to their implementation. They differ with respect to factors that include, but are not limited to, the name, contents, nature and number of problems covered, writing guidelines, language of writing, time and frequency of writing, theoretical components, meta-language and theories used, assessors, assessment rubrics, provision and training, uses and follow-ups. Although these differences may be only a matter of trainers’ personal preferences that suit particular settings, they do have important didactic implications. This paper, therefore, sets out to capture such diversity, with a view to establishing a framework of reference to inform better use of this instrument of intervention in translator education.

Translation of Lu Xun’s Essays — between Fidelity and Freedom

This paper aims to examine the perspective of fidelity vs. freedom, from the study of the Portuguese translation of Lu Xun’s essays, produced by third year students of the Portuguese-Chinese Translation and Interpreting course of the Leiria Polytechnic Institute, Portugal, during their study in 2014 at the School of Languages and Translation of the Macao Polytechnic Institute. Their translations were published in Estudio dos Três Sabores.During the whole translation process, the inexperienced young translators tried to put into practice translation techniques – considering various possibilities, making revisions and writing self-reflections, while confronting fidelity to the source text with the freedom afforded by cultural and linguistic differences. By analysing the various solutions found by these translators, this paper attempts to point out the dilemma of translation and to bring a new perspective in terms of fidelity and freedom in translation.

Interpreting and Intercultural Communication: Crossing Domains in the Era of Globalization, Technological Advances and Social Networks

The rise of globalization, the strengthening of multicultural societies, the abolishment of borders, technological advances, social networks and the increasing political power of economic forces are all unmistakable occurrences that are characteristic of the 21st century. It is now very much the responsibility of linguistic and cultural intermediaries or “translators” to provide support through the services they offer in a world that is so diverse, comprising a variety of languages and cultures, unprecedented levels of mobility, and technology that is increasingly advancing and being applied to the communication needs of society. There is also increased awareness regarding the need for qualified interpreters in all types of fields including legal, medical, business, educational, political, governmental and academic settings. Consequently, there has been an increase in the development of short programs and academic courses that are being offered and designed to introduce people to interpreting and to provide training in this field. In addition to this, communication within multilingual societies has also encountered developments and challenges due to the use of technology, an increase in intercultural relations and changes in certain factors or elements that inevitably modify each type of intervention. All of these issues are subjects of growing interest within the scope of research and training in interpreting studies. It is my intention to focus on some of these matters in the following pages.

Transitioning from Interdisciplinarity to Transdisciplinarity in Applied Translation Studies: Towards Transdisciplinary Action Research in Translators’ Workplaces

Since the beginnings of translation studies, applied translation research has set out to address the practices, processes and products of translation in both work and education. The contexts in which these are realized are embedded in broader sociotechnical systems as well as in the specific settings where translation is performed. Although the situated nature of professional translation is uncontroversial and suggests that it should be investigated in situ, workplace-based, organization-oriented research in applied translation studies is a relatively recent and still under-developed phenomenon. The nascent interest in it is partly due to advances in research tools and practices, but mostly to an emerging but still largely implicit transdisciplinary research framework. This article argues that the actual and potential impact of transdisciplinarity should frame translation research more explicitly. It considers how the growing diversification of professional translation and its convergence with other communication professions calls for applied translation studies to adjust to new realities. It explores current developments in professional translation practice, presents a use case of workplace-based research, and concludes with a model of transdisciplinary action research that can serve as a structured framework for investigating and learning from rapidly evolving professional processes and practices in translators’ sociotechnical workplaces.

nr="87"Terminology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Until a few years ago, artificial intelligence (AI) played no role in practical terminology work. Meanwhile, intelligent terminology management systems have become part of the tool landscape. They model knowledge by building concept networks with the help of relations. These intelligent terminologies can help improve the performance and quality of AI-based applications and support translators and interpreters in their daily work. Intelligent terminology repositories offer challenging new opportunities for translators, interpreters and knowledge workers. This article gives some background information and explains the functioning of intelligent terminologies.

nr="109"Learning to Bridge the Divide: Integrating Teacher and Organizational Development in Translator Education

Translation pedagogy has evolved into a new sub-discipline of translation studies, but the focus has been almost exclusively on student competences and their development rather than on those actually doing the teaching. The multiple challenges presented by technology, digitalization and socio-ethical concerns have been lending increased impetus to diversifying the roles and working contexts in which translators pursue their vocation, calling for a review of translators’ roles and competences and a re-orientation of translator education. Yet, the concomitant need to model the competences and development of those educating the future professionals has received far less attention. After considering current and future challenges in translation practice and teaching, the present paper focuses on a use case from the author’s institution to propose an integrated approach to teacher competence development, framed by influential approaches to organizational learning and operationalized in a situated, localized directive which set out to make efficient and effective use of available resources as key affordances in teacher development. These include participatory action research and experiential learning measures designed to promote and incentivize reflective practice, innovation and thus bridge the much-cited divide between professional vocational training and the academic objectives of translation theory and research.