Emotional Intelligence and Translation Studies: A New Bridge

Abstract

RÉSUMÉLe présent article cherche à promouvoir l'étude de processus psychologiques non cognitifs en traductologie. Plus particulièrement, il a pour but de souligner l'importance d'étudier l'intelligence émotionnelle des traducteurs et interprètes. Nous définirons d'abord le concept d'intelligence émotionnelle et présenterons certaines études pertinentes dans le domaine en portant une attention particulière à deux d'entre elles. Nous examinerons ensuite des études menées récemment en traductologie et dans des disciplines connexes, lesquelles démontrent l'importance d'étudier les traits affectifs et émotionnels des traducteurs. Enfin, nous formulerons, dans la dernière section, des recommandations relatives à l'étude de l'intelligence émotionnelle en traductologie au profit de la communauté de traducteurs et d'interprètes. Nous démontrerons au passage l'utilité et la nécessité d'effectuer des recherches plus poussées sur les personnalités et l'intelligence émotionnelle des traducteurs et interprètes en vue d'approfondir la compréhension des processus de traduction et d'interprétation. ABSTRACTThis paper presents a case for the study of non-cognitive psychological processes in Translation Studies (TS). More specifically, it aims to highlight the value of studying the emotional intelligence (EI) of translators and interpreters. Firstly, the concept of EI is defined and a review of trait EI profiling is undertaken, with a focus on two recent studies that have relevance for TS. Secondly, recent research within TS and related disciplines that provides evidence of the value of studying the affective and emotional traits of translators and interpreters is discussed. The final section of this paper provides some recommendations for the study of EI in TS research to benefit the translation and interpreting community. It will be argued that investigating emotional intelligence is both necessary and desirable to gain a deeper understanding of translation and interpreting processes.

Narrative intelligence represented in translational success: issues of coherence, gaps, complexity and aesthetics

“…One key element of these mental efforts is intelligence in human cognition, the significance of which is frequently discussed in the literature (e.g., Bellgard, 2006;Crossly, 2007). In addition, the importance of different types of intelligence in translatorial success is also confirmed in various studies (Hubscher-Davidson, 2013;Pazhouhesh and Davoodi Rad, 2015;Zavalaa, 2012). Along with these studies, the role of Narrative Intelligence (NI) as a relatively novel construct in translation field has been probed very recently.…”

Exploring predictors of translation performance

“…The studies on EI and translation by Hubscher-Davidson (2013) and Varzande and Jadidi (2015) present two exceptions in this research area. Hubscher-Davidson (2013) presents a theoretical argument for studies on the effects that a translator's EI exerts on the quality of translation they deliver.…”

“…For translation, it is assumed that levels of EI would probably have repercussions for both the translation process and the final product of this process (Hubscher-Davidson, 2013). For example, it is hypothesized that a translator with a high level of EI is likely to render the illocutionary or intended meaning of the SL text into the TL more successfully.…”

Creativity and Translation Quality: Opposing Enemies or Friendly Allies?

“…Two of the personality traits most frequently correlated with creativity are intuition and emotional intelligence. In translation, Hubscher- Davidson's (2009Davidson's ( , 2013aDavidson's ( , 2013bDavidson's ( , 2013c work has pioneered the exploration of the role of these two personality traits in the translation process. Results from her work hint at a correlation between successful levels of performance in literary translation and the presence of an intuitive trait among translation students, measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) questionnaire.…”