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In:Innovation and Expansion in Translation Process Research
Edited by Isabel Lacruz and Riitta Jääskeläinen
[American Translators Association Scholarly Monograph Series XVIII] 2018
► pp. 55–76

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Chapter 4
Genre familiarity and translation processing

Differences and similarities between literary and LSP translators

Published online: 1 February 2018
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ata.18.04tan
Abstract
This paper presents the findings from a research project carried out with literary translators and LSP translators. The overall aim of the project is to explore if and to what extent text genre familiarity affects translation processing. The specific aim is to characterise and compare translation processing behaviors of two groups of translators: translators specializing in literary translation and translators specializing in LSP (language for specific purposes) translation. Eye tracking and keylogging data from the two groups of translators are recorded in a series of data collection sessions. The study identified certain similarities and differences: the translation of familiar genres relies on automated behaviors, LSP translators translate more quickly than literary translators and LSP translators apply more advanced search strategies.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background and research aims
    • 2.1Resource distribution
    • 2.2Reading behavior
    • 2.3Translation strategies
    • 2.4Search strategies
  • 3.Research design
    • 3.1Participants, texts and procedure
    • 3.2Recording equipment and software
    • 3.3Statistical analysis and variables
  • 4.Results and discussion
    • 4.1Resource distribution
    • 4.2 Reading and fixation duration
    • 4.3Translation strategies
      • 4.3.1Text expansion strategies
      • 4.3.2Text reduction strategies
    • 4.4Search strategies
  • 5. Concluding remarks
  • Notes
  • References
  • Appendix
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