Initial translation interference to reviser trainees in English-LOTE translation revision tasks

Abstract

Initial translation interference refers to the impact of the initial translation on other-revisers. The factor of initial translation interference on reviser trainees has not been examined systematically. The current research investigates two related questions: How does trainees’ revision performance relate to their translation performance? And how is trainees’ revision performance impacted by the initial translated text they are provided with?  A mixed research design of quantitative and semi-qualitative research methods is used for a more comprehensive analysis and a higher validity of the findings. The results suggest that good translator trainees tend to be also competent in revision, and poor translator trainees tend to be also weak at revision. However, no significant correlation is found for the intermediate group. The trainees tend to find revision tasks more challenging than the translation tasks and negative interference of the initial translation is prevalent both lexically and syntactically. They are very likely to be distracted and misled by the initial translation. The methodology and findings of this study have implications for translation researchers as well as educators.