Stepping stones in the translation process for novice volunteer translators

• Main Author: Fong, Wai Yee
• Other Authors: -
• Format: Thesis-Master by Coursework
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Humanities::Language::Linguistics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/157088
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Recent decades witnessed a rapid and widespread adoption of volunteer translators due to technological advances and trends. Non-professional written translation, usually volunteered and unpaid, comes in a variety of ways, such as fansubbing, fan translation, and community translation. Individuals involve in such translations are usually novice translators. They may begin approaching a text with an intuitive sense that they know what to do and how to do it, but at their first attempt or the initial phase, they may find themselves at a loss in the face of various translation dilemmas. In fact, Translation Studies research has shown that, novice translators may not feel confident with subject matter expertise, feel intimidated by terminological complexity, as well as lack technical expertise and training opportunities. They may not know the types of translation, the phases in translation, the necessary skills and knowledge or even the freedom involved in translation. How could novice translators work independently to produce a good translation, derive task satisfaction, and develop their own expertise over time, not forgetting available technological assistance? This paper presents a study of two groups of participants distinguished by experience and training in translation, completing a translation task in their respective natural environments. Although the material chosen has a Christian focus, through task performance, thinking aloud and post-interview feedback, evidence-based findings relevant to the performance reality and mental process of translation are explored. The research design also enables a meaningful comparison between novice participants and experienced participants. Collectively, the results point to practical solutions for novice translators on how they can approach their next translation task and build their competence in translation over time.