THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE TRANSLATOR TRAINING

Abstract

The paper discusses the translator’s role(s) in the globalized translation market and translator training issues in relation to and skills (linguistic, cultural, field-specific, etc.), necessary for young translators. Among the questions discussed in the paper are translation process involving linguistic elements, as well as translation as a cognitive process, interrelation between language and culture, dichotomy of literal vs free translation. The article engages with the challenges posed by a complex and responsible task of being a translator in a diversified world. Seeking to identify students’ experiences of training and perceptions of the role they are going to play as professional translators an interview with students-trainees was conducted. The interview was focused on the question whether knowledge of translation theory aids in performing practical translation tasks. The data collected from the students’ 
responses allowed identifying their learning patterns, most challenging areas in translator training, the (mis)match between theory and practice. The research was based on a qualitative research paradigm assuming students’ experiences being of great importance in the process of assessing the value and quality of the translator training and interaction between theoretical insights of translator’s roles and practical experience.