The effectiveness of a composite translator training model for Syrian translation masters students

Mannaa, MZ

Abstract

This thesis tests whether a translation training programme, combining the theoretical
principles adopted in Hervey and Higgins' Thinking Translation series and in Bolanos'
dynamic translation model, helps to improve Arab MA translation students' performance in
English-to-Arabic translation. The course materials used were taken from Thinking Arabic
Translation and Supplement to Thinking Arabic Translation. The experimental group were
MA translation students at the Higher Institute of Translation and Interpretation, University
of Damascus, while MA translation students at the University of Petra (Amman) were used as
a control group. Both groups of students were given an initial translation exam. The
University of Damascus students (but not the University of Petra) students were then given a
20-hour one-month translation training programme. At the end of this period, both the
Damascus students and the University of Petra students were given a final translation exam.
All errors made by both groups of students in the initial exam were precisely analysed, using
Hervey and Higgins' matrices-level-rank model, as were all errors made by both groups of
students in the final exam. The results showed that while University of Petra students had not
improved between the initial exam and the final exam, University of Damascus students had
made a significant improvement. These results corroborate the view that the theoretical
principles developed by Hervey and Higgins, as operationalised for Arabic/English
translation in Thinking Arabic Translation and Supplement to Thinking Arabic Translation,
help to improve students' English/Arabic translation performance.

Citation

Mannaa, M. The effectiveness of a composite translator training model for Syrian translation masters students. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2011