Information behaviour in bidirectional translators: focus on online resources

Abstract

Effective information behaviour is crucial in all translation competence models but our understanding of how information skills develop and how translators interact with information found in online resources is still limited. In this article we focus on information behaviour (needs and use) of bidirectional translators who frequently translate into their native (L1) and their non-native language (L2). The theoretical underpinnings come from information studies: (1) information is needed when cognitive uncertainty arises and -when found -it allows the translator to make an informed decision; (2) translators are driven by economy of effort and will minimise the cost of searching for information. The empirical evidence comes from a study of 30 professional bidirectional translators who translated two texts into their native language of low diffusion (Polish) and into their non-native major language (English). A close analysis of their information behaviour included data obtained by keylogging, eye-tracking and screen recording, and showed that using online resources adds more cognitive effort when translators work into their L2. We use the results to draft a model of information behaviour which shows how the use of online resources is affected by the translation direction.

The Effect of Critical Thinking on Translation Technology Competence Among College Students: The Chain Mediating Role of Academic Self-Efficacy and Cultural Intelligence

“…66 When faced with ambiguities or difficulties during translation, translators can find feasible and quick solutions with the help of electronic dictionaries, online knowledge-sharing platforms, and search engines. 67,68 The introduction of the internet has also dramatically expanded the information sources accessible to translators, transformed the way of searching for information in translation activities, and improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the information-seeking process. 69,70…”

Investigating the relationship between online information seeking and translation performance among translation students: The mediating role of translation self-efficacy

“…The Internet has changed the way translators consult information, shifting from traditional resources such as printed dictionaries to digital forms. With the Internet and smart devices, translators can get easy access to a huge range of online resources that help them to gain useful information effectively and efficiently (Daems et al, 2016;Whyatt et al, 2021).…”

“…In translation studies, online information seeking has been found to be significantly correlated with translation process (e.g., Hvelplund, 2019;Sycz-Opoń, 2019;Prieto Ramos, 2020). Previous studies have shown that online resources such as search engines, electronic dictionaries, and specific portals, as compared with seeking information from print resources, enable translators to acquire better information in a more efficient way when they experience uncertainty in the problem-solving process (e.g., Hvelplund, 2017;Kuznik and Olalla-soler, 2018;Whyatt et al, 2021). However, mixed findings were reported on the impact of online information seeking on translation performance.…”

Examining Digital Technology Literacy of Professional Japanese Language Translator and Interpreter

“…The use of resources in the translation and interpreting process is related to information behaviour, which is defined as all behaviours related to information people receive and exchange, including media use and all the communication activities between people (Jiang, 2019). Previous studies related to information behaviour examine the search strategy used in the translation process (Whyatt, Witczak, & Tomczak, 2021), the behaviours of students and professional translators in web searching (Ohnishi & Yamada, 2020), the interaction between translator and computer (Bundgaard, 2017), and between translator/interpreter and information (Havnen, 2021). It may be concluded that research on this particular topic has become more pragmatic, focusing on problem-solving for technology development, time efficiency, and high quality to meet the global market demand.…”