Triangulating Translation: Perspectives in Process Oriented Research (review)

This collection of conference papers investigates cognition and translation processes from three main viewpoints: theoretical perspectives, empirical studies, and pedagogical applications. The authors stress the need for different approaches to clarify the essence of inferential behavior, intersubjectivity, competence, segmentation, time pressure, dictionary use, and the novice-expert interface.

In ‘A relevance theory approach to the investigation of inferential processes in translation’ (3–24), Fabio Alves and José Luiz V. R. Gonçalves build on the theoretical framework proposed by relevance theory and competence-oriented studies of translation to consider the problem-solving and decision-making processes involved in the act of translation. The authors apply the theory of triangulation and use different data collection methods to locate the inferential patterns that relate to the translator’s performance (Translog and retrospective protocols). Gyde Hansen, in ‘Controlling the process: Theoretical and methodological reflections on research into translation processes’ (25–42), presents a dilemma for empirical translation studies concerning the investigation of translation processes and demonstrates the final product as a complex network of factors, for example, assumptions, decisions, feelings, thoughts, impressions, and doubts. Phenomenological methods of observation, with their holistic and pluralistic approaches, are very useful, as are triangulations of qualitative and quantitative results. In ‘Building a translation competence model’ (43–66), the PACTE (process in the acquisition of translation competence and evaluation) Group develops a new model for the design of hypotheses to allow for an empirical-experimental study of translation competence. This model redefines the subcompetences of the 1998 pattern and, thus, modifies the functional impact of bilingual, extra-linguistic, knowledge-about-translation, instrumental, and strategic subcompetences as well as the function of psycho-physiological components.

Arnt Lykke Jakobsen (‘Effects of think aloud on translation speed, revision, and segmentation’, 69–95) discusses what influence, if any, the think-aloud condition might have on translation speed, on the amount of revision undertaken, and on pausedefined segmentation. He notes that thinking aloud delays translation by about 25%, though no significant effects on revision were found, and instead considerable effects on segmentation were discovered. Rui Rothe-Neves, in ‘The influence of working memory features on some formal aspects of translation performance’ (97–119), points out that regression models used to verify causal relations did not show working memory as having any significant influence on the translation process. Considering the impact of task coordination, he found evidence of a link related to typing, whereas processing speed was more closely related to measures that tapped into higher processes during translation. No evidence was found, however, of the importance of storage capacity.

‘Patterns of dictionary use in non-domain-specific translation’ (123–36), by Inge Livbjerg and Inger M. Mees, weighs the value of using and not using dictionaries by semi-professionals. They conclude that students overuse them and focus too narrowly on lexical units at the expense of other factors such as context. The work with think-aloud protocols also suggests that a translation training process that concentrates more specifically on process constitutes a new pedagogical approach that allows teachers to advise students on their individual strengths and weaknesses. Heloisa G. Barbosa and Aurora M. S. Neiva, in ‘Using think-aloud protocols to investigate the translation process of foreign language learners and experienced translators’ (137–55), reveal the advantages of using think-aloud protocols in both monologue and dialogue versions in studying the translation process. They find that as taken as a strategy, the advantages of think-aloud protocols can outweigh their potential drawbacks.

Two indices, of names and subjects, help readers to orient themselves in this significant and worthwhile contribution to the understanding of the approaches to research into translation processes.