THE IMPACT OF TRANSLATION ON LANGUAGE LEARNING - AN INSIGHT FROM THE FUNCTIONAL APPROACH TO TRANSLATION
Main Article Content
Abstract
Translation or Grammar - Translation method (GTM) in its new form has made a comeback in language teaching after decades of neglect due to its limitations. This paper presents the impact of translation on students’ English learning in a tertiary English language program in Vietnam. The methodology was based on a contrastive examination of students’ written and spoken comments on the translation tasks and students’ translation solutions both before and after the translation workshops. The students demonstrated improved awareness of communicative contexts of texts or communicative language use and enhanced text comprehension. The study reinstates the enhanced role of translation in language teaching particularly when translation is defined from the functional approach to translation. GTM in its new form can still be relevant in Vietnam and other similar contexts.
Article Details
Keywords
Grammar-Translation method, language teaching, functional approach to translation, language use, text comprehension
References
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Nguyen, T. T. H. (2020). Enhancing Students’ Problem Identification in Translation Teaching in an English Language Program. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 36(4), 63-79. https://doi.org/10.25073/2525-2445/vnufs.4575
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Nguyen, T. T. H. (2024). Translation in Language Teaching - The Need for Redefinition of Translation. AsiaCALL Online Journal, 15(1), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.54855/acoj.241512
Bachman, L. F. (1990). Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford University Press.
Belpoliti, F., & Plascencia, A. (2013). Translation techniques in the Spanish for heritage learners’ classroom: Promoting lexical development. In D. Tsagari & G. Floros (Eds.), Translation in language teaching and assessment (pp. 65-92). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Benelhadj Djelloul, D., & Neddar, B. A. (2017). The usefulness of translation in foreign language teaching: Teachers’ attitudes and perceptions. Arab World English Journal for Translation & Literary Studies, 1(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3031503
Canale, M., & Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 1-47. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/I.1.1
Canga-Alonso, A., & Rubio-Goitia, A. (2016). Students’ reflections on pedagogical translation in Spanish as a foreign language. Tejuelo, 23(1), 132-157. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/72046888.pdf
Carreres, Á. (2014). Translation as a means and as an end: Reassessing the divide. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 8(1), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399X.2014.908561
Carreres, Á., & Noriega-Sánchez, M. (2011). Translation in language teaching: Insights from professional translator training. The Language Learning Journal, 39(3), 281-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2011.567356
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Gile, D. (2004). Integrated problem and decision reporting as a translator training tool. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 2, 2-20. https://www.jostrans.org/issue02/art_gile.php
House, J. (2008). Using translation to improve pragmatic competence. In E. Alco’n Soler & A. Martinez-Flor (Eds.), Investigating pragmatics in foreign language learning, teaching and testing (pp. 3-25). Multilingual Matters.
Ebbert-Hübner, C., & Maas, C. (2017). Can translation improve EFL students’ grammatical accuracy. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 5(4), 191-202. http://eltsjournal.org/archive/value5%20issue4/23-5-4-17.pdf
Károly, A. (2014). Translation in foreign language teaching: A case study from a functional perspective. Linguistics and Education, 25, 90-107. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2013.09.009
Kelly, N., & Bruen, J. (2015). Translation as a pedagogical tool in the foreign language classroom: A qualitative study of attitudes and behaviours. Language Teaching Research, 19(2), 150-168. http://doi.org/10.1177/1362168814541720
Lee, T. (2013). Incorporating translation into the language classroom and its potential impacts upon L2 learners. In D. Tsagari & G. Floros (Eds.), Translation in language teaching and assessment (pp. 3-22). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Malmkjær, K. (1998). Introduction: Translation and language teaching. In K. Malmkjaer (Ed.), Translation & language teaching: Language teaching & translation. St. Jerome Publishing.
Mbeudeu, c. D. (2017). Introducing translation-based activities in teaching English as a foreign language: A step towards the improvement of learners’ accurate use of words and expressions in writing. Research in pedagogy, 7(1), 76-89. http://research.rs/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2217-7337_v07_n01_p076.pdf
Navidinia, H., Akar, M. & Hendevalan, J. (2019). Using translation in language teaching: Exploring advantages and disadvantages from linguistic, humanistic and practical Perspectives. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 7(2). 12-18. http://eltsjournal.org/archive/value7%20issue2/2-7-2-19.pdf
Nguyen, M. C. (2022). Some basic functions of translation. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 38(2), 151-161. https://doi.org/10.25073/2525-2445/vnufs.4832
Nord, C. (2005). Text analysis in translation: Theory, methodology, and didactic application of a model for translation-oriented text analysis. Rodopi.
Rafiqa, R., Yasim, S., Fajriani, N., & Saleh, H. (2019). Development of translation learning package on task-based language teaching to Improve learner's autonomy of English education students. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 8(11), 2494-2497. https://www.ijstr.org/paper-references.php?ref=IJSTR-1019-23503
Reiss, K. (1981). Type, kind and individuality of text: Decision making in translation. Poetics Today, 2(4), 121-131. http://doi.org/10.2307/1772491
Valdeón, R. A. (2015). The (ab)use of taboo lexis in audiovisual translation: Raising awareness of pragmatic variation in English-Spanish. Intercultural Pragmatics, 12(3), 363-385. http://doi.org/10.1515/ip-2015-0018
Yusupov, О. Y. (2022). The importance of translation in teaching foreign languages. Uchenyy XXI veka, 10(91), 46-47. http://doi.org/10.15350/24103586.2022.10.10
Aixelá, J. F. (1996). Culture-specific items in translation. In R. Alvarez & M. C. A. Vidal (Eds.), Translation, power, subversion (Vol. 8.) (pp. 52-78). Multilingual Matters.
Nguyen, T. T. H. (2020). Enhancing Students’ Problem Identification in Translation Teaching in an English Language Program. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 36(4), 63-79. https://doi.org/10.25073/2525-2445/vnufs.4575
Nguyen, T. T. H. (2023a). The application of consciousness-raising in teaching translation in a Vietnamese tertiary English language program. Translation & Interpreting, 15(1), 200-215. Doi: The application of consciousness-raising in teaching translation in a Vietnamese tertiary English language program | Nguyen | Translation & Interpreting (trans-int.org)
Nguyen, T. T. H. (2023b). The use of a functional approach to translation in enhancing students’ translation process -the case of a Vietnamese foreign language program. JIRSEA, 21(2), 113-133. http://www.seaairweb.info/journal/articles/JIRSEA_v21_n01/JIRSEA_v21_n01_All.pdf
Nguyen, T. T. H. (2024). Translation in Language Teaching - The Need for Redefinition of Translation. AsiaCALL Online Journal, 15(1), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.54855/acoj.241512
Bachman, L. F. (1990). Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford University Press.
Belpoliti, F., & Plascencia, A. (2013). Translation techniques in the Spanish for heritage learners’ classroom: Promoting lexical development. In D. Tsagari & G. Floros (Eds.), Translation in language teaching and assessment (pp. 65-92). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Benelhadj Djelloul, D., & Neddar, B. A. (2017). The usefulness of translation in foreign language teaching: Teachers’ attitudes and perceptions. Arab World English Journal for Translation & Literary Studies, 1(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3031503
Canale, M., & Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 1-47. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/I.1.1
Canga-Alonso, A., & Rubio-Goitia, A. (2016). Students’ reflections on pedagogical translation in Spanish as a foreign language. Tejuelo, 23(1), 132-157. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/72046888.pdf
Carreres, Á. (2014). Translation as a means and as an end: Reassessing the divide. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 8(1), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399X.2014.908561
Carreres, Á., & Noriega-Sánchez, M. (2011). Translation in language teaching: Insights from professional translator training. The Language Learning Journal, 39(3), 281-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2011.567356
Carreres, Á., & Noriega-Sánchez, M. (2021). The translation turn: A communicative approach to translation in the language classroom. In T. Beaven & F. Rosell-Aguilar (Eds), Innovative language pedagogy report (pp. 83-89). Research-publishing.net. https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2021.50.1240
Colina, S. (2002). Second language acquisition, language teaching and translation studies. Translator: Studies in Intercultural Communication, 8(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/13556509.2002.10799114
Colina, S., & Lafford, B. A. (2018). Translation in Spanish language teaching: The integration of a “fifth skill” in the second language curriculum. Journal of Spanish Language Teaching, 4(2), 110-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/23247797.2017.1407127
Cook, G. (2010). Translation in language teaching: An argument for reassessment. Oxford University Press.
Council of Europe, Language Policy Division. (2009). Relating language examinations to the common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR). https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/relating-examinations-to-the-cefr
D’Amore, A. M. (2014). The role of translation in language teaching: Back to GT in ELT? In Y. Cui & W. Zhao (Eds.), Handbook of research on teaching methods in language. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-6615-3.ch008
Gile, D. (2004). Integrated problem and decision reporting as a translator training tool. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 2, 2-20. https://www.jostrans.org/issue02/art_gile.php
House, J. (2008). Using translation to improve pragmatic competence. In E. Alco’n Soler & A. Martinez-Flor (Eds.), Investigating pragmatics in foreign language learning, teaching and testing (pp. 3-25). Multilingual Matters.
Ebbert-Hübner, C., & Maas, C. (2017). Can translation improve EFL students’ grammatical accuracy. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 5(4), 191-202. http://eltsjournal.org/archive/value5%20issue4/23-5-4-17.pdf
Károly, A. (2014). Translation in foreign language teaching: A case study from a functional perspective. Linguistics and Education, 25, 90-107. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2013.09.009
Kelly, N., & Bruen, J. (2015). Translation as a pedagogical tool in the foreign language classroom: A qualitative study of attitudes and behaviours. Language Teaching Research, 19(2), 150-168. http://doi.org/10.1177/1362168814541720
Lee, T. (2013). Incorporating translation into the language classroom and its potential impacts upon L2 learners. In D. Tsagari & G. Floros (Eds.), Translation in language teaching and assessment (pp. 3-22). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Malmkjær, K. (1998). Introduction: Translation and language teaching. In K. Malmkjaer (Ed.), Translation & language teaching: Language teaching & translation. St. Jerome Publishing.
Mbeudeu, c. D. (2017). Introducing translation-based activities in teaching English as a foreign language: A step towards the improvement of learners’ accurate use of words and expressions in writing. Research in pedagogy, 7(1), 76-89. http://research.rs/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2217-7337_v07_n01_p076.pdf
Navidinia, H., Akar, M. & Hendevalan, J. (2019). Using translation in language teaching: Exploring advantages and disadvantages from linguistic, humanistic and practical Perspectives. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 7(2). 12-18. http://eltsjournal.org/archive/value7%20issue2/2-7-2-19.pdf
Nguyen, M. C. (2022). Some basic functions of translation. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 38(2), 151-161. https://doi.org/10.25073/2525-2445/vnufs.4832
Nord, C. (2005). Text analysis in translation: Theory, methodology, and didactic application of a model for translation-oriented text analysis. Rodopi.
Rafiqa, R., Yasim, S., Fajriani, N., & Saleh, H. (2019). Development of translation learning package on task-based language teaching to Improve learner's autonomy of English education students. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 8(11), 2494-2497. https://www.ijstr.org/paper-references.php?ref=IJSTR-1019-23503
Reiss, K. (1981). Type, kind and individuality of text: Decision making in translation. Poetics Today, 2(4), 121-131. http://doi.org/10.2307/1772491
Valdeón, R. A. (2015). The (ab)use of taboo lexis in audiovisual translation: Raising awareness of pragmatic variation in English-Spanish. Intercultural Pragmatics, 12(3), 363-385. http://doi.org/10.1515/ip-2015-0018
Yusupov, О. Y. (2022). The importance of translation in teaching foreign languages. Uchenyy XXI veka, 10(91), 46-47. http://doi.org/10.15350/24103586.2022.10.10