Machine Translation and Foreign Language Learning

ISBN-13: 9789819986019 / Angielski

Kizito Tekwa

Spis treści

Introduction

1Theoretical grounding of the research

2Research question

3Hypotheses and assumptions

4General methods

5 Scope

6Contribution to knowledge

7Thesis structure

Chapter

1: Literature review

1.1

Introduction 1.1.1

Computer-mediated communication (CMC)

1.1.2 Machine translation (MT)

1.1.3 Instant messaging

1.1.4 English as a foreign language

1.1.5 Foreign language willingness to communicate (FL WTC)

Opportunities to communicate in a foreign language (FL OTC)

29 1.2 Understanding

1.2.1 Profile of IM

users

1.2.2 IM language

1.2.3 IM and FL learning.

1.3 MT, IM, and translation

1.3.1 Advantages, uses and challenges of MT

1.3.2 Real-time machine-translated

viii 1.3.3 An overview of some IM translation

clients

1.3.4Wechat.

1.3.5 QQ International

1.3.6 Skype Translator

1.3.7 Lringo

1.3.8 Chatlingual

1.3.9 VoxOx

1.3.10 Sendboo

1.4 IM and translators

1.5 IM translation and translation studies..

1.5.1 IM translation and translator training .

1.5.2 IM and translationethics.

1.6 The future of IM translation

1.7Conclusion

Chapter 2

Methodology.

2.1 Application choice

2.1.1 Compatibility of the IM tool…

Participant selection

2.3 General framework for gathering data

2.3.1 Questionnaire development and administration

2.3.2 Data collection

2.3.3 Pairing

2.3.4 Introductory meeting and

questionnaires.

2.3.5 Exchanges.

2.3.6 Discussion topics and

themes

2.4 Data analysis

2.4.1 Analysis of data to determine FL

WTC.

2.4.2 McCroskey’s WTC

scale.

2.4.3 Initial and final

questionnaires.

2.4.4 Analysis of data to determine FL

OTC.

2.4.5 Number of words and turns:.

2.4.6 Incoming message translation and usefulness of the IM translator:

2.4.7 Conversation

enhancement:

ix 2.4.8 Synchronous

exchanges:..

2.4.9 Ownership

2.4.10 Clarification questions, paraphrases, and requests for explanation:

2.5 Limitations of the methodology

2.6 Conclusion

Chapter3

Analysis of data.

110 3.1 Findings with regard to WTC perception.

3.1.1 Finding 1: Increased WTC level for participants with IM translation

option.

3.1.2 Finding 2: Overall increase in individual WTC score

3.1.3 Finding 3: WTC level, WTC score and IM data

exchanged.

3.1.4 Finding 4: Delayed communication for participants without the IM

translator

3.2 Findings with regard to OTC

3.2.1 Finding 1: Participants believe the IM tool enhanced

communication

3.2.2 Finding 2: Number of words and turns exchanged.

3.2.3 Finding 3: Outgoing messages translated

3.2.4 Finding 4: Conversation ownership during synchronous

exchanges

3.2.5 Finding 5:Conversation enhancement.

3.2.6 Finding 6: Pre-selected topics/tasks..

3.2.7 Finding 7: Synchronous exchanges

3.2.8 Finding 8: Repetition, paraphrase and explanation

3.2.9 Finding 9: Participants’ use of the IM translation option

3.3 Conclusion.

Chapter

4：Discussion and implications

4.1 Implications of the findings for the conceptual framing for WTC

4.1.1 Perception versus reality

4.1.2 Revisiting the definition of WTC

4.1.3 Different parameters for measuring WTC

4.2 Implications of the findings for FL pedagogy

4.2.1 MT and IM use in the FL learning environment.

4.2.2 Recycling learner-generated data for pedagogical purposes.

4.2.3 Knowledge of learners’ profiles

4.2.4 Possibility of exposure to a foreign culture

4.3 Implications of the findings for translation studies

4.3.1 The interdisciplinary nature of translation studies..

4.3.2 Tools to use and contents to teach in the translation training

environment

4.3.3 Pre-editing the SL input and

training students to write for MT

4.3.4 Collaboration.

4.3.5 Translation quality

4.3.6 MT post-editing...

4.4 Conclusion

Chapter 5: Conclusion.

193 5.1 Summary of thesis.

5.2 Summary of limitations

5.3 Contribution to knowledge and avenues for further research

Bibliography

Appendix

Appendix A: Interpersonal, group and meeting WTC score compare

Appendix B:

Perception of participants on the usefulness of the IM translation

option..

Appendix C: Ranking of participants based on

turns and percentage of IM exchanged by China-based

participants

Appendix D: Ranking of participants according to performance with regards to

various tasks/topics220 Appendix E: Tasks and topics discussed

AppendixF: Ranking of participants according to the number of conversation enhancers

Appendix G: Ranking of participants according to synchronous

exchanges

Appendix H: Ranking of

participants according to various conversation categories

Appendix I: Problems with machine-translated IM and

how participants attempted to resolve them Appendix J: Turns exchanged according

to IM translator use

Appendix K: 20-item WTC proposed by McCroskey

Appendix L: Initial questionnaire (English

version)

Appendix M: Initial Questionnaire (Chinese

version)

Appendix N: Final Questionnaire (English

version)

Appendix O: Final Questionnaire (Chinese version)

Approvals

267 Authorization from Office of Research Ethics and

Integrity

Authorization from the School of English Studies, SISU, China

 

O autorze

Kizito Tekwa is Canadian. He is a graduate of the School of Translation and Interpretation (STI), University of Ottawa, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Translation Studies in 2018. He has taught at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (University of Ottawa), Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation (Shanghai International Studies University), and School of Interpretation and Translation Studies (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies). Currently, he teaches at the School of Foreign Languages (Shenzhen Technology University). He teaches Translation Technology, English Language, and Technical Writing.

 

His research areas include computer-assisted translation (CAT), machine translation, post-editing, localization, and low-resource languages. He has several SSCI publications in top-level journals including Linguistica Antverpiensia, New Series – Themes in Translation Studies (LANS – TTS), Perspectives, Babel, and Education and Information Technologies. He has also published two textbooks─Writing: A Textbook to Improve Essay Writing and Avoid Chinglish and A Technical Writing Coursebook for College Students─ and several book chapters in various Springer book series.

Blurb

The book investigates how machine translation (MT) provides opportunities and increases the willingness to communicate in a foreign language. It is informed by a mixed methods methodological approach that analyzes quantitative and qualitative data of questionnaires and real-time instant messages (IM). The book is unique because it contains tables, figures, and screenshots of actual real-time IM exchanges. It is innovative in discussing IM translation, a novel form of MT, and demonstrates how the technology offers English foreign language learners, in this case, Chinese college students, communication opportunities while increasing their willingness to communicate. The study provides an interesting insight into IM user profiles, clients, and usages. Smartphone screenshots are the locale of the study whose findings have far-reaching implications for students, language and translation instructors, and curriculum designers.