1,720,970 research outputs found
Multilingualism as linguistic chimerism. Conceptualizing language contact and English as a global contact language in a hybrid-oriented perspective.
No full textIn a globalized world where cultural boundaries have become increasingly blurred, multilingual practices have changed the understanding of language contact and contact-induced influence in global encounters. In the era of transnational communication, multilingual practices often involve the use of the global contact language of English as a Lingua Franca, resulting in a plethora of linguistic hybrids that undergo fast and continuous evolution. Contemporary multilingualism rather occurs in the form of linguistic chimeras, i.e., hybrid and fully functional lects where the boundaries of the merged linguistic systems that make them are hard to detect. Although theoretical frameworks of language contact, developed within contact linguistics, have tried to conceptualize contact phenomena, traditional models do not do justice to the fluidity and dynamism of current multilingual and English-mediated communicative practices, which might fit in a more hybrid-oriented perspective, as this contribution suggests
Exploring genre-based EN<>IT specialised translation training and its effects on self-efficacy
No full textIn the growing market of the translation industry, where 90% of the global output consists of specialised translation, the acquisition of familiarity with different specialised genres is critical for translation trainees to confidently prepare for their future professional challenges.
Not only do professionals report dealing with a high diversity of texts and domains but low familiarity may result in poor translation performances and low self-efficacy. Due to the general orientation of Specialised Translation master’s programmes in Italy, it is often difficult to deliver genre-specific training, which translates to scattered tasks and avoidance of highly specialised genres and texts. This contribution describes training administered to final-year learners of a master’s degree in Specialised Translation, and it was designed to delve into four specialised genres by analysing and translating authentic professional materials. Pre-test and post-test questionnaires employing an adaptation of Chen, Gully, and Eden’s general self-efficacy scale (2001) were administered to explore learners’ perceived difficulties and to investigate whether the training could enhance learners’ self-efficacy about translation tasks
Tradurre l'astronomia: un case-study
No full textLa traduzione di un testo collocato in un dominio ad alto livello di specializzazione può rivelarsi un'ardua impresa e richiede un'adeguata conoscenza degli strumenti gestionali e traduttivi. Inoltre, la collaborazione tra il traduttore e un esperto del settore specialistico si rivela indispensabile per far fronte alle problematiche traduttive e per produrre un testo di arrivo di buona qualità e riconoscibile dalla comunità scientifica di appartenenza. Questi aspetti vengono descritti e analizzati nell'ambito della traduzione di un contributo scientifico prodotto nel campo dell'astronomia, seguita dall'analisi delle strategie e delle problematiche traduttive affrontate nel corso del processo traduttivo
Neurosciences inform second language acquisition. Upgrading EFL educational settings with social modeling and observational learning
No full textAs research in cognitive psychology and neurosciences develops new models to describe the acquisition and emergence of cognitive skills, these findings call for an adjustment of EFL (and general L2) didactic approaches. The discovery of mirror neurons and social modeling theories have marked a turning point to understand the cognitive processes underlying language perception and L2 learning. This article provides an overview of the recent findings in the field of neurosciences and cognitive psychology and discusses their effects on language acquisition, with special reference to EFL learning, by taking into consideration the critical role played by emulation and the continuous improvement and spreading of technology. The article aims to provide food for thoughts in light of an interdisciplinary informed didactic approach to second language learning, with special reference to the implementation of modeling in EFL learning environments
Motivational implications of Video Modeling Examples in the Translation Class
No full textOver the last years, video modeling examples have spread as a tool for e-learning both in educational and informal environments (like video tutorials on YouTube). Research has found them effective for the acquisition of new skills and for improving learners' confidence in subsequent performances of the modeled task. According to the model-observer similarity (MOS) hypothesis and the similarity-attraction hypothesis, modeling implies social comparison and the degree of learners' perceived similarity to the model affects the efficacy of modeling examples. The study explores the implementation in a translation class of video modeling examples resulting from Think Aloud sessions, as a tool for dispelling doubts about the translation process. 21 near-graduate learners of Specialized Translation at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' took part in the training. The analysis of learners' feedbacks will describe the effects of video modeling examples on translation learners' motivation and self-efficacy
Translator and Reviser Training. The White Whales of Italian Academia
Full text linkOver the last decades, translation studies have experienced an almost uncontrolled expansion. However, in Italy, translation studies have not yet earned a place as an independent field of study, raising some important concerns over the existence and nature of experts in an ‘inexistent’ field and the actual object of training we should deliver to future professional translators. Translator training still struggles with the integration and definition of effective practice and exhibits gaps, especially concerning the almost complete absence of revision in Italian universities’ translation programs, as revealed by the survey conducted. Nonetheless, revision is an officially and institutionally acknowledged feature of professional realities and it is an unaware ever-present figure in educational environments, as instructors revise learners’ works, raising critical questions on whether current translation trainers exhibit highly developed translation and revision competences.
Drawing on aggregate data, this contribution aims to shed light on three critical aspects: i) the denial of the disciplinary identity of translation studies as an independent and complex discipline that goes beyond the threshold of the specific languages to which it is inextricably linked by Italian academic categories; ii) the alarming absence of translation revision (or at least, the lack of official references to it) in translator training offered by almost all Italian universities offering a Master’s Degree in Specialized Translation; and iii) the necessity to involve professional translators in translator training, in order to foster professional realism in class and guide learners through the acquisition of specific knowledge and competences that can only be unveiled by professional experience
Mobile Learning: APP-Raising and Updating Language Learning in the Digital Era
Full text linkThe first section of the paper focuses on the development of mobile learning and provides an overview of a growing body of research which describes mobile devices as useful tools for language learning. The development of cutting-edge mobile devices has driven the attention of educators, making mobile learning (m-learning) a new and interesting approach to language learning. Mobile tools and social networks allow users to produce and share content and context (Hill & Hannafin, 2001; Saad & Borg, 2009) and allow learners to access an ubiquitous, autonomous and individualised learning experience (Ibrahim Abukhattala, 2016; Shuler, 2009). Moreover, mobile tools offer a wide range of functions and activities, enhancing multisensory learning, which provides significant benefits for the brain. Indeed, it is known that multisensory learning eases the processes of recollection and processing of information (Katja M. Mayer et al., 2015). The benefits provided by mobile learning are embraced by learners, who feel better engaged, resulting in more successful outcomes (Wang et al., 2009). However, in some cases, the use of mobile tools for educational purposes provokes concerns for educators (Barrell, 2011). Moreover, the implementation of new media is affected by educators’ beliefs and attitudes (Van Olphen, 2007), which suggests that training is needed, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of mobile learning (Liu, 2009). The second section of this paper includes a description of four apps (BUSUU, SPEAKINGPAL, VOXY and OPENLANGUAGE) for language learning and the results of a survey carried out amongst 13 university EFL learners (10 women and 3 men), belonging to different fields of study and with different levels of language competence (according to self-evaluation). Even if this study can be considered as a beta test –due to the small sample and the nature of participants– students’ comments suggest that mobile learning is an interesting and engaging way to bring the language learning experience outside of the classroom and share it in a broader –although digital– environment
Think aloud as a tool for implementing observational learning in the translation class
No full textThink aloud (TA) is widely used in translation studies to investigate the translation process. However, it also provides materials that can be used in translation training, thus enhancing observational learning, which is known to be an effective approach to knowledge acquisition. In a study carried out in an Italian translation class, participants (N1 = 21) experienced a three-hour training-test session during which they (1) watched tapes of TA translation sessions with a professional translator and other learners (N2 = 6), and (2) performed ‘live’ TA translation sessions in class. Rasch analysis was performed on pre- and post-test questionnaires assessing self-evaluated competences and satisfaction with the tasks. Compared with the regular 100-hour translation programme, the training-test increased learners’ satisfaction with the tasks and their self-evaluation of competences. It also shed light on the translation process, which was perceived as clearer by learners after the training-test, implying that TA can be used as an effective tool for implementing observational learning in the translation class
Observational Learning and its Effects on Self-Perceived Competence
No full textLearning by imitation is one of the basic processes through which people start acquiring skills, knowledge and competences. This process relies on a borrowing and reorganising principle embedded in our biological evolution (Sweller and Sweller 2006), since the imitator “borrows” information from the observed individual and combines it with prior knowledge. Research on the Mirror Neuron System has shown that observation of an individual performing an action provides information not only about the nature of the action but also about the individual’s intentions. Observational learning is gaining more and more popularity and the use of modeling examples has proven effective for the acquisition of new skills (Renkl 2014) and the enhancement of learners’ self-perceived competence (Hoogerheide et al. 2016). The observational approach draws on the Model-Observer Similarity Hypothesis, according to which perceived similarity with the model affects learners’ confidence about their ability to perform the same task (Bandura 1994). The present study involves 59 learners enrolled in the last year of a Translation Master’s Degree course. The learners experienced a 3-hour training employing an observational approach to translation. Rasch analysis of data gathered from pre- and post-training questionnaires shows an increase in learners’ self-perceived competence and satisfaction related to translation
- …
