Self-revision processes of translation students : does self-revision deliteralise the final translation? : a case study

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect that the process of self-revision has on the final translation and whether such a process transforms the final TT into a closer rendering of the ST or into a less literal one. This will be achieved by testing the deliteralisation hypothesis, which holds the view that generally, the first draft version of a translator’s TT is closer to the source than other later draft versions (when available), underlining a move from literal to less literal (Chesterman 2011, p.26). This study uses keystroke logging (Translog-II) to investigate the type of self-revisions carried out, i.e., whether they are classified as away, nearer or neutral, the overall number of self-revisions as well as the total number of changes carried out per participant, and how such self-revisions were distributed along the translation process. Moreover, the study incorporates think-aloud to find out the underlying reasons behind these changes, which are also divided into different categories. A lengthy, non-literary text, taken from the British newspaper called The Guardian, is translated from English (L2) into Maltese (L1) by six University of Malta translation students who are currently enrolled in the Master in Translation and Terminology Studies. The study partially supports the deliteralisation hypothesis and also suggests that the underlying reasons as to why changes were made were various such as: TT/TL requirements; loyalty to the ST/ST author; solutions which were considered better/best; personal preferences, among others. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the organisation of self-revisions throughout the phases of the translation process, may be linked to a translator’s process profile or writing style.