Teaching Translation Theory in English to Chinese Students: An Example of Psycholinguistic Understanding of Languages

J Psycholinguist Res. 2023 Aug;52(4):1077-1092. doi: 10.1007/s10936-023-09953-4. Epub 2023 Apr 6.

Abstract

The paper measures the impact of the developed approach to teaching the translation theory, using the psycholinguistic features of the English language. The factor analysis validation framework was used to control the data of this study. 190 s-year students from Xxx University majoring in translation studies were surveyed. The results of the post-assessment of groups B show an increase in scores according to three special criteria: the value of the language mental representation understanding level increased by 25.3%, language mechanisms processing by 30.8%, the indicator of linguistic resources by 44.6%. Additionally, students from mini-groups B received an average of general assessment criteria 7.2% higher than the control group. Correlation analysis suggests that as the mastery level of special skills in the English language theory increases, the effectiveness of the pedagogical process will also increase, considering psycholinguistic features of the English language. The research findings may be relied upon when building the expertise in new practices intended to develop effective teaching strategies enhancing the competencies of future translators. Application of the research findings can improve the effectiveness of teaching translation theory to students in the People's Republic of China.

Keywords: English; Psycholinguistics; Teaching; Translation; Translation theory.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • East Asian People*
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Psycholinguistics
  • Students