Poll: The concept of translation should be taught at...
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
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Dec 31, 2021

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "The concept of translation should be taught at...".

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Sayyed Mahmoud Hosseini
 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 20:26
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
High school Dec 31, 2021

It's a good place to start, but it also depends on the student. I was already intrigued by translation in 8th grade. Then I actually taught university-level translation for 14 years. Some of the students were very good and caught on quickly; others not so much, even though they were bilingual.

[Edited at 2021-12-31 08:36 GMT]


Liviu-Lee Roth
Sayyed Mahmoud Hosseini
Christine Andersen
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 04:26
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Dec 31, 2021

It depends on what is meant by the « concept of translation ». If it means explaining the basics of translation, the big difference between translation and interpretation and that just knowing two languages does not necessary mean a person will be able to translate well, then it should start at primary school and be reinforced at high school level. Anyway, a professional translator needs at least an academic degree in his/hers own mother tongue and to gain lots and lots of experience…
... See more
It depends on what is meant by the « concept of translation ». If it means explaining the basics of translation, the big difference between translation and interpretation and that just knowing two languages does not necessary mean a person will be able to translate well, then it should start at primary school and be reinforced at high school level. Anyway, a professional translator needs at least an academic degree in his/hers own mother tongue and to gain lots and lots of experience…

[Edited at 2021-12-31 09:52 GMT]
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neilmac
Ventnai
Liviu-Lee Roth
Christine Andersen
 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 05:26
Spanish to English
+ ...
"Elementary" Dec 31, 2021

In general, I tend to associate translation with language learning, whether one's first language or a second or third. Since I was first given French lessons when still in primary school, at around 8-10 years of age, I think that may be a good time to start. However, I also think the meatier stuff should probably be left until secondary school level.

Mr. Satan (X)
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Susanna Martoni
Christine Andersen
 
Mr. Satan (X)
Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
Elementary (primary) school level Dec 31, 2021

Bilingualism (trilingualism, quadrilingualism, whatever) should be taught as soon as possible, IMHO. Elementary school is always the perfect start, while kindergarten and playgroups might be too early.

 
Barbara Cochran, MFA
Barbara Cochran, MFA  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 23:26
Spanish to English
+ ...
Wherever And Whenever The Opportunity Arises Dec 31, 2021

Like neilmac, I was introduced to French in elementary school; but it was not until I was in my second year of high school, when I was studying Spanish only, that I was asked by my teacher to translate a page into Spanish. Until then, she had just asked us to translate some basic Spanish phrases that cannot be translated into English literally. So that gave me at least some insight into how translation actually works. In college I majored in Spanish and French, but the emphasis was on literary,... See more
Like neilmac, I was introduced to French in elementary school; but it was not until I was in my second year of high school, when I was studying Spanish only, that I was asked by my teacher to translate a page into Spanish. Until then, she had just asked us to translate some basic Spanish phrases that cannot be translated into English literally. So that gave me at least some insight into how translation actually works. In college I majored in Spanish and French, but the emphasis was on literary, plot, and character analysis, and I was never asked to do any translation. So I had to wait to study the concepts associated with literary translation after I met up with professors in graduate school.

[Edited at 2021-12-31 19:48 GMT]
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Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 05:26
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Other Dec 31, 2021

It should begin at a very early stage and continue throughout the entire education. In fact, through one's entire life because the learning never stops.

Happy New Year!


Liviu-Lee Roth
 
William Yang
William Yang
China
Local time: 12:26
Member (2021)
English to Chinese
+ ...
world of translators Jan 1, 2022

When we take a look at the future, AI is taking away our jobs. So world of translators will be quite different from where we are now.
At this moment, I think translation is a career for someone who is serious about languages and the theories(to better translation skills) will be best acquired at college level or even later before his language capability is strong enough esp. for those not born bilingual.


Shahid Mahmood
Josephine Cassar
 
Josephine Cassar
Josephine Cassar  Identity Verified
Malta
Local time: 05:26
Member (2012)
English to Maltese
+ ...
After secondary/high school Jan 1, 2022

I learnt foreign languages through grammar, by translating verbs, phrases, adjectives, sentences from one language to another and for me, that was what translation was. However, nowadays, one does not learn a foreign language like that. But I think the concept of translation should be introduced late in the secondary/high school just as one starts thinking about the future, university, vocational training, etc. Also the fact that one needs to know not just two or more languages but the translati... See more
I learnt foreign languages through grammar, by translating verbs, phrases, adjectives, sentences from one language to another and for me, that was what translation was. However, nowadays, one does not learn a foreign language like that. But I think the concept of translation should be introduced late in the secondary/high school just as one starts thinking about the future, university, vocational training, etc. Also the fact that one needs to know not just two or more languages but the translation theories and skills plus a background in some other subject/topic/interest which one can specialise in has to be drummed in plus the administrative side and marketing.Collapse


 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 01:26
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Can't be taught Jan 30, 2022

Most skills you need to be a good translator can't be taught in any courses. Many try, but not effectively. Theory does not help, really.

Kay Denney
 
jyuan_us
jyuan_us  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 23:26
Member (2005)
English to Chinese
+ ...
Why should the concept of translation be taught? Jan 31, 2022

Why should the concept of translation be taught in the first place?

Kay Denney
 


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Poll: The concept of translation should be taught at...






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