Directionality in translator training. Contrastive evaluation of L1 and L2 translations using the PIE method (Preselected Items Evaluation) and the ATA Framework for Standardized Error Marking

Abstract

This paper illustrates the results of an experiment conducted in translator training in which thirty students translated a text from their L1 (Dutch) into their L2 (English). The students completed a questionnaire on their acquisition of the L1, the perceived difficulty of each translation direction and the main difficulties encountered. The translations were analysed and scored by means of PIE (Preselected Items Evaluation), and the errors identified were categorised using the error categories of the ATA Framework for Standardized Error Marking. While the students scored slightly higher into their L2, the scores and main error categories were similar in the two translation directions. The students whose L1 is not Dutch obtained similar scores to those whose L1 is Dutch. The students’ perceived main difficulties were confirmed in the error categorisation. Finally, the perceived overall difficulty was higher than the item difficulty measured by means of PIE.