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Article published In: FORUM
Vol. 20:1 (2022) ► pp.65–90

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A survey of translation and interpreting studies doctoral students’ experiences

Findings and implications for doctoral training in South Korea

 | Ewha Womans University
 | Hankuk University of Foreign StudiesSeoul
Published online: 15 June 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.21031.lee
Abstract
Despite a remarkable growth of translation and interpreting studies (TS), little attention has been paid to doctoral students and their experiences of doctoral studies. This paper investigates TS doctoral experiences based on a survey of 73 doctoral students and graduates from the two largest and oldest TS doctoral programmes in South Korea. The survey includes questions about their personal backgrounds, overall doctoral experiences, research competencies, regrets and suggestions for the doctoral programmes. The analysis reveals the challenges they encountered and examines their assessments of TS research competencies. Research competence and time management were the greatest challenges in their doctoral studies. The paper also highlights the factors for successful doctorate completion by statistically analysing the participants’ variables, including their age, marital status, years of practice and personal motives for undertaking doctoral studies. The paper concludes by discussing its implications for TS doctoral programmes and research.
Résumé
Bien que les études d’interprétation et de traduction aient connu un développement remarquable, peu d’attention a été accordé aux doctorants et à leurs expériences d’études doctorales. Cet article examine ces expériences doctorales sur la base d’une enquête auprès de 73 doctorants et diplômés de deux programmes de doctorat les plus importants et les plus anciens en Corée du Sud. Des questions portant sur leurs parcours personnels, leurs expériences doctorales en général, leurs compétences en recherche, leurs regrets et suggestions sur les programmes doctoraux ont été inclues dans le questionnaire. L’analyse de l’enquête révèle les défis rencontrés tout en détaillant leurs évaluations des compétences en recherche. Les plus grands défis cités sont les compétences en recherche et la gestion du temps. L’article met en relief les facteurs de réussite pour le diplôme de doctorat par une analyse statistique des variables concernant les participants tels que l’âge, l’état civil, les années de pratique et les motivations personnelles pour entreprendre les études doctorales. Enfin, l’article conclut sur des implications pour les programmes de doctorat et la recherche en études d’interprétation et de traduction.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Factors for successful transition
    • 2.2TS research competence versus T&I competence
  • 3.Research methods
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1Participant profiles
    • 4.2Challenges and factors for successful completion of doctoral programmes
      • 4.2.1Time management
      • 4.2.2Research competence
    • 4.3Institutional factors
  • 5.Discussion and conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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