Translating Technical Texts: A Case of M.Ed Students

Abstract

The present study is entitled “Translating Technical Texts: A Case of M.Ed Students”. The main purpose of this study was to find out the translating ability of master level students in technical translation, to compare the translating ability in technical translation in terms of word and sentence level between the students taking translation and SLA as elective subjects and to suggest some pedagogical implications. For the purpose of the study, the master level students of T.U were selected. The sample population for the study was only sixty students (thirty students from translation and thirty from SLA). The respondents were selected by using non-random judgmental sampling procedure. The only tool for data collection was a set of test items consisting of Nepali technical texts which the students had to translate into English. The test consisted of three test items where the distribution of the marks varied depending upon the complexity of the items. The findings of the study showed that the translating ability of master level students was satisfactory. Comparatively, the students taking translation had higher translating ability than ones who took SLA. Word level translating ability was found to be excellent. Sentence-wise analysis showed that the literal translation was the most frequently used technique. This study is divided into four chapters. Chapter one introduces the study in terms of general background, review of related literature, objectives and significance of the study. Chapter two deals with the methodology under which sources of data, process of data collection and limitations of the study are presented. Chapter three presents statistical analysis and interpretation of the data. Descriptive and analytical approaches are used to analyze the data. Chapter four discusses the findings of the study. On the basis of the findings, some recommendations are suggested. The references and appendices are the concluding parts of the study.