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JN
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 214
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 Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 1:56 pm Post subject: Teaching English to help someone translate better |
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I have a potential student who wishes to improve her English, so she can translate texts better into English. I haven't spoken with her in English yet, but am assuming she is not a beginner.
Are there any particular ways of teaching someone who wishes to improve her English for translating? I tried to find something on the Internet, but all I seem to be getting is information on grammar translation or using translation in class as a means to teach English. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Translation courses are very popular here in Canada because of our official languages act. The focus is on making texts accurate (duh) and idiomatic. I'm curious to know what kind of translation role she will be doing? Here, it would require complete bilingualism, so advanced study (literary analysis, discourse, and (primarily) consumer-oriented messages) is a focus. |
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JN
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| This lady apparently has been translating a small health newspaper into English. I will maybe know more next week when I see her again. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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| JN wrote: |
| This lady apparently has been translating a small health newspaper into English. I will maybe know more next week when I see her again. |
Have her bring some of her actual work product to give you an idea of her language and translation abilities. In fact, her work writing should be incorporated into the lessons.
From an English language learning perspective, take a look at "Tips for Translators" (http://ec.europa.eu/translation/english/guidelines/documents/clear_english_en.pdf). |
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JN
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
Have her bring some of her actual work product to give you an idea of her language and translation abilities. In fact, her work writing should be incorporated into the lessons.
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Yes, I was planning on having her bring some of her work samples and also work with her on that in the lessons, so it appears I am on the right track.
I have occasionally helped other students with translating a letter or other document, but never actually taught someone who wants English for translation.
Thanks very much for the file. That will be helpful. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| JN wrote: |
| This lady apparently has been translating a small health newspaper into English. I will maybe know more next week when I see her again. |
Have her bring some of her actual work product to give you an idea of her language and translation abilities. In fact, her work writing should be incorporated into the lessons.
From an English language learning perspective, take a look at "Tips for Translators" (http://ec.europa.eu/translation/english/guidelines/documents/clear_english_en.pdf). |
Nice find, thanks! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Other suggestions:
- Include content she's unfamiliar with to expose her to a variety of topics
- Definitely cover those challenging, commonly confused words (e.g., http://www.stlcc.edu/Student_Resources/Academic_Resources/Writing_Resources/Grammar_Handouts/commonly_confused_words.pdf)
- Sentence structure and paragraphs
- Basic to advanced punctuation
- Writing numbers
- In-text citations
- Summarizing short texts and audio clips (orally and in writing)
- Proof and correct her own work (i.e., indicating her own errors and explaining what the issues are and why she made X corrections)
- Reported speech
- Active and passive voice in writing |
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JN
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the great info. I can certainly use all of the ideas. |
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JN
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 11:54 am Post subject: |
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I talked with this lady in English and she hasn't actually done any translating herself. She can make herself understood in English, but needs grammar and more vocabulary. She's probably an A2-B1. She plans to try to translate an article when she gets the new issue of the paper.
I personally don't think she'll be able to do any real translating for a long time, but she wants to try. I think I'll work on really basic writing with her and see what I can incorporate from the information you all have given me. |
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