Poll: The concept of translation should be taught at...
Autor da sequência: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
STAFF DO SÍTIO
Dec 31, 2021

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

View the poll results »



Sayyed Mahmoud Hosseini
 
Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Muriel Vasconcellos (X)  Identity Verified
Estados Unidos da América
Local time: 03:51
Espanhol para Inglês
+ ...
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: 11:51
Membro (2007)
Inglês para Português
+ ...
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]
Collapse


neilmac
Ian Keith Jones Williams
Liviu-Lee Roth
Christine Andersen
 
neilmac
neilmac
Espanha
Local time: 12:51
Espanhol para Inglês
+ ...
"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)
Inglês para Indonésio
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
Estados Unidos da América
Local time: 06:51
Espanhol para Inglês
+ ...
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]
Collapse


 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Alemanha
Local time: 12:51
Membro (2009)
Inglês para Alemão
+ ...
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  Identity Verified
China
Local time: 18:51
Membro (2021)
Inglês para Chinês
+ ...
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: 12:51
Membro (2012)
Inglês para Maltês
+ ...
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
Brasil
Local time: 07:51
Inglês para Português
+ ...
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
Estados Unidos da América
Local time: 06:51
Membro (2005)
Inglês para Chinês
+ ...
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
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderador(es) deste fórum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

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






Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »