An error analysis approach to teaching specialized translation

Importance. Improving translation quality has become increasingly important to meet the growing demand for accuracy and fidelity in conveying meaning, both for professional human translators/interpreters and for machine translation and AI systems. This demand has led to a greater focus on minimizing errors and enhancing the competence of novice specialized translators and interpreters.

Materials and Methods. First, we conducted a survey of experienced translation instructors to identify the most frequently used and effective student assignments that incorporate translation error analysis. Second, we surveyed undergraduate and graduate students in translation studies. Statistical methods were applied to process and visualize the results.

Results and Discussion. Our study highlights the importance of integrating error analysis into the translation curriculum. Both instructors and students reported clear benefits from assignments focused on identifying and correcting errors. The error analysis approach enhances student motivation to improve their translation skills, fosters awareness of the importance of prompt error detection and correction, and strengthens the ability to identify and rectify errors in both their own and others’ translations. It also encourages engagement with translation editing tasks and promotes a critical perspective on one’s work.

Conclusion. Examining the nature of translation errors and identifying strategies for their prevention allows for the development of effective teaching methods that cultivate sustainable skills in error detection and elimination. The error analysis approach presented here supports comprehensive development of translator competencies, contributing to higher translation quality and reducing semantic distortions and communication failures in mediated intercultural interactions.

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