Beyond dictionaries

Marilyn Domas White · Miriam Louise Matteson · Eileen G. Abels

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Translation Studies and Practices Library Science and Information Literacy Information Retrieval and Search Behavior

Abstract

Abstract Purpose – This paper characterizes translation as a task and aims to identify how it influences professional translators' information needs and use of resources to meet those needs. Design/methodology/approach – This research is exploratory and qualitative. Data are based on focus group sessions with 19 professional translators. Where appropriate, findings are related to several theories relating task characteristics and information behavior (IB). Findings – The findings support some of Byström's findings about relationship between task and information use but also suggest new hypotheses or relationships among task, information need, and information use, including the notion of a zone of familiarity. Translators use a wide range of resources, both formal and informal, localized sources, including personal contacts with other translators, native speakers, and domain experts, to supplement their basic resources, which are different types of dictionaries. The study addresses translator problems created by the need to translate materials in less commonly taught languages. Research limitations/implications – Focus group sessions allow only for identifying concepts, relationships, and hypotheses, not for indicating the relative importance of variables or distribution across individuals. Translation does not cover literary translation. Practical implications – The paper suggests content and features of workstations offering access to wide range of resources for professional translators. Originality/value – Unlike other information behavior studies of professional translators, this article focuses on a broad range of resources, not just on dictionary use. It also identifies information problems associated not only with normal task activities, but also with translators' moving out of their zone of familiarity, i.e. their range of domain, language, and style expertise. The model of translator IB is potentially generalizable to other groups and both supports and expands other task‐related research.

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References

1994Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches 2014Ethnologue. Languages of the World 1988Task Complexity: A Review and Analysis 1996Modeling the Information Seeking of Professionals: A General Model Derived from Research on Engineers, Health Care Professionals, and Lawyers 2004Wiki: A Technology for Conversational Knowledge Management and Group Collaboration 2002Information and information sources in tasks of varying complexity 1981The Foreign Student's Use of Monolingual English Dictionaries: A Study of Language Needs and Reference Skills 1980The Dictionary and Vocabulary Behavior: A Single Word or a Handful?

Cited by

2018Using electronic information resources to solve cultural translation problems 2019Information-seeking behaviour of translation students at the University of Silesia during legal translation – an empirical investigation 2011Technical and Instrumental Competence in the Translator’s Workplace: Using Process Research to Identify Educational and Ergonomic Needs 2016Information Needs, Motivations, and Use 2017

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