The Use of Linguistic Landscape as a Training Resource for Developing Students’ Translation Competence

Abstract

This study is an attempt to investigate the efficacy of using linguistic landscape scripts as a training material to develop student translators’ translation competence. Focusing on the sub-competences stated in PACTE’s model of translation competence, namely the bilingual, extra-linguistic, strategic and knowledge about translation sub-competences, the study, based on the participants’ reflective feedback and instructor’s observations, aims to determine whether the use of bilingual public signs with translational content can help translation students develop their translation competence. The qualitative data used in the study were collected via focus group discussions, instructor’s observations and a survey to obtain students’ perspectives. The study found out that through discussion, evaluation and reflection on authentic materials taken from students’ environment, students can raise their bilingual, procedural and strategic awareness, which contributes to development of self-confidence in decision-making and problem-solving skills in the translation process. Furthermore, the study revealed that the use of such authentic experiential materials can provide students with a range of practices, actors and factors related to the process of translation that enhances their extra-linguistic competence and knowledge about translation, which eventually enables them produce translations that conform to the standards of meaningfulness, appropriateness and correctness required by the target audience.