Study of translation and technical communication competences
Thread poster: Olga Terentyeva
Olga Terentyeva
Olga Terentyeva
United Kingdom
English to Russian
Jan 5, 2017

Hello!

I am currently writing a thesis and looking for an opportunity to launch an online questionnaire to support my research. The study aims at attempting to evaluate the level of importance language specialist attach to translation and technical communication competences in their professional activity.

This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Be assured that all answers you provide will be held in strict confidentiality, and the results of the su
... See more
Hello!

I am currently writing a thesis and looking for an opportunity to launch an online questionnaire to support my research. The study aims at attempting to evaluate the level of importance language specialist attach to translation and technical communication competences in their professional activity.

This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Be assured that all answers you provide will be held in strict confidentiality, and the results of the survey will only be released in aggregate form.

Your time and effort are greatly appreciated.

The questionnaire can be accessed here: https://goo.gl/forms/JBfSjZf8ccrFoGc73
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Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 03:01
Dutch to English
+ ...
Not applicable Jan 6, 2017

I'm wondering what the goal of this study is: what do you expect that the results of your study are going to show and what are they going to be used for? The questionnaire is addressed only to language specialists who have studied or have a degree in the language field. You did not mention that and there is no 'not applicable' option. You are excluding a large number of language specialists who have acquired their skills in other ways and as far as I can see, the results of your study will have ... See more
I'm wondering what the goal of this study is: what do you expect that the results of your study are going to show and what are they going to be used for? The questionnaire is addressed only to language specialists who have studied or have a degree in the language field. You did not mention that and there is no 'not applicable' option. You are excluding a large number of language specialists who have acquired their skills in other ways and as far as I can see, the results of your study will have limited application.Collapse


 
philgoddard
philgoddard
United States
German to English
+ ...
Agree with Tina Jan 6, 2017

One of the first questions should be "Have you taken a course specifically in translation during the last [say] five years?". If the answer is no, you should thank respondents for their time and the survey should end. I have a language degree, but only a small part of it related to translation and I took it before things like TM were invented.

[Edited at 2017-01-06 19:29 GMT]


 
akemi33
akemi33
United States
Local time: 02:01
Japanese to English
+ ...
reply Sep 20, 2017

guess the survey has been edited but it hadn't been closed..not sure whether i can submit mine..but if i can, pls just say a word -- would be my pleasure to out..know how it is hard to talk people into filling in a questionnaire..few years ago in order to write my research paper had to carry out a survey and almost failed at it since could get enough people to fill it in

 
Olga Terentyeva
Olga Terentyeva
United Kingdom
English to Russian
TOPIC STARTER
Hi akemi33, Sep 20, 2017

akemi33 wrote:

guess the survey has been edited but it hadn't been closed..not sure whether i can submit mine..but if i can, pls just say a word -- would be my pleasure to out..know how it is hard to talk people into filling in a questionnaire..few years ago in order to write my research paper had to carry out a survey and almost failed at it since could get enough people to fill it in


Thank you for your interest. I kind of put the research on hold for now. But you are very welcome to fill it in! Every voice counts!!!! It's hard indeed to get many responses. I would be extremely grateful for your opinion and time! Thank you!

[Редактировалось 2017-09-20 12:14 GMT]


 
Sarah Lewis-Morgan
Sarah Lewis-Morgan  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 10:01
Member (2014)
German to English
+ ...
Make the survey applicable Sep 20, 2017

akemi33 wrote:

guess the survey has been edited but it hadn't been closed..not sure whether i can submit mine..but if i can, pls just say a word -- would be my pleasure to out..know how it is hard to talk people into filling in a questionnaire..few years ago in order to write my research paper had to carry out a survey and almost failed at it since could get enough people to fill it in


People will be more willing to complete surveys if they think they apply to them, won't take up too much of their time, and are well-thought out in the first place. If the person asking for responses clearly states their aims and makes the questions simple and applicable, people will be much more inclined to help. See the above comments and you will get a few hints.


 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 05:01
English to Spanish
+ ...
Pseudo academic surveys Sep 22, 2017

I'm skeptical about the value of surveys in academic research. Since survey questions can be easily manipulated to achieve a certain result, what is the scientific value of such a survey?

Research in the translation studies field requires a great deal of reading. During my MA and PhD classes, I never encountered a single monograph, paper or academic essay that had a survey in it.

Instead of taking the easy way out, I suggest the student do the heavy lifting: read the st
... See more
I'm skeptical about the value of surveys in academic research. Since survey questions can be easily manipulated to achieve a certain result, what is the scientific value of such a survey?

Research in the translation studies field requires a great deal of reading. During my MA and PhD classes, I never encountered a single monograph, paper or academic essay that had a survey in it.

Instead of taking the easy way out, I suggest the student do the heavy lifting: read the state of the art, read the recognized scholars in a particular field of research, write a draft of your ideas, don't just pull one out of thin air.
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The Misha
The Misha
Local time: 05:01
Russian to English
+ ...
Study, schmudy... Sep 23, 2017

Translation is first and foremost a craft - not at all unlike goldsmithing and cabinet making. As such, it is best learned by doing, preferably under the tutelage of a master craftsman - provided, of course, you have mastered your tools first, i.e. your working languages. In case no one told you this yet, no amount of academic "research" will help you become a better translator in your chosen areas of expertise. No wonder nobody wants to answer these meaningless surveys. No wonder still that mos... See more
Translation is first and foremost a craft - not at all unlike goldsmithing and cabinet making. As such, it is best learned by doing, preferably under the tutelage of a master craftsman - provided, of course, you have mastered your tools first, i.e. your working languages. In case no one told you this yet, no amount of academic "research" will help you become a better translator in your chosen areas of expertise. No wonder nobody wants to answer these meaningless surveys. No wonder still that most of the best translators I have encountered in over 30 years in this business have never "studied translation".

May I suggest you read up on Karl Popper and his definition of what science is and what it is not.

Good luck to you.
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DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
IMO Sep 23, 2017

Olga, although when* designed and done properly, interviewing/polling is one of quick and reliable/representative sources of initial/raw data, it's the ones who interpret the results who may be biased, mistaken, or undercompetent, so it makes sense to use several different sources with various aspects.

Mario, and why don't mention where and how those "prominent minds" get their actual information?)


Cheers

[Edited at 2017-09-23 07:41 GMT]


 


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Study of translation and technical communication competences







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