Translation Quality Assessment

Outlining an original, discourse-based model for translation quality assessment that goes beyond conventional microtextual error analysis, Malcolm Williams explores the potential of transferring reasoning and argument as the prime criterion of translation quality. Assessment through error analysis is inevitably based on an error count - an unsatisfactory means of establishing, and justifying, differences in quality that forces the evaluator to focus on subsentence elements rather than the key messages of the source text. Williams counters that a judgment of translation quality should be based primarily on the success with which the translator has rendered the reasoning, or argument structure. Six aspects for assessment are proposed: argument macrostructure, propositional functions, conjunctives, types of arguments, figures of speech, and narrative strategy. Williams illustrates the approach using three different types of examples: letters, statistical reports, and argumentative articles for publication. Translation Quality Assessmentoffers translators a new set of flexible and modular standards.

Malcolm Williams is an adjunct professor in the School of Translation and Interpretation at the University of Ottawa.

Acknowledgments

xi

Introduction

xiii

Part I: Developing an argumentation-centred TQA model

Chapter One The present state of TQA and study objectives

3

(18)

1.1. TQA approaches

3

(11)

1.1.1. Models with a quantitative dimension

3

(8)

1.1.2. Non-quantitative models

11

(3)

1.2. Investigations and definitions of translation norms

14

(3)

1.3. Present state: conclusions and issues

17

(2)

1.3.1. TQA models

17

(2)

1.4. Objectives

19

(2)

Chapter Two Overview of argumentation framework and argument schema

21

(10)

2.1. Logic, argument and rhetoric

22

(1)

2.2. Features of an argumentation-centred TQA model

23

(1)

2.3. Argument schema

24

(7)

2.3.1. Claim/discovery

24

(1)

2.3.2. Grounds

25

(1)

2.3.3. Warrant

25

(1)

2.3.4. Backing

25

(1)

2.3.5. Qualifier/modalizer

26

(1)

2.3.6. Rebuttal/exception/restriction

26

(1)

2.3.7. Example

26

(1)

2.3.8. Generic framework

27

(1)

2.3.9. Preliminary application of model

28

(3)

Chapter Three Rhetorical topology

31

(36)

3.1. Elements of the topology

31

(2)

3.2. Organizational relations

33

(1)

3.3. Conjunctives and other inference indicators

34

(8)

3.3.1. Illustration of treatment of four conjunctive types in instrumental translation

37

(3)

3.3.2. Frequency and variety of conjunctives: a translation error case study

40

(1)

3.3.3. Other inference indicators

41

(1)

3.4. From inference indicators to propositional function

42

(4)

3.5. Types of argument

46

(12)

3.5.1. Overview

46

(2)

3.5.2. Definition

48

(2)

3.5.3. Comparison

50

(3)

3.5.4. Relationship

53

(2)

3.5.5. Circumstance

55

(2)

3.5.6. Testimony

57

(1)

3.6. Figures

58

(2)

3.6.1. Overview

58

(2)

3.7. Narrative strategy

60

(4)

3.7.1. Depersonalization

60

(3)

3.7.2. Qualifiers

63

(1)

3.8. Argumentation parameters and TQA grid

64

(3)

Chapter Four Defining major error, testing the model, and determining the quality standard: preparatory steps

67

(6)

4.1. Defining major error

67

(2)

4.2. Testing the model

69

(1)

4.3. Determining the translation quality standard

70

(3)

Part II: Testing and refining the model and defining a quality standard

Chapter Five Testing the model

73

(54)

5.1. Analytical process

73

(1)

5.2. Analysis

74

(49)

5.2.1. Translations of statistics texts for the Canadian government

74

(20)

5.2.2. Criminal justice and criminology translations

94

(29)

5.3. Comparative summary of results

123

(4)

Chapter Six Refining the model

127

(14)

6.1. Introduction

127

(1)

6.2. Overall and field/use-specific TQA

127

(2)

6.2.1. Findings

127

(2)

6.3. Comparison of ARTRAQ and quantitative-microtextual TQA in terms of quality of information

129

(3)

6.3.1. Findings

129

(3)

6.4. Refinements

132

(9)

6.4.1. Parameters and grid

132

(1)

6.4.2. Seriousness of error

133

(1)

6.4.3. Full-text assessment versus sampling

133

(1)

6.4.4. The revised model

134

(1)

6.4.5. Development of a rating scale

135

(6)

Chapter Seven ARTRAQ and development of a standard

141

(8)

7.1. Introduction

141

(1)

7.2. From norm to standard

141

(2)

7.3. Translation quality standard

143

(6)

Conclusion

149

(4)

1. TQA model

149

(2)

2. Definition of error

151

(1)

3. Definition of translation quality standard

151

(2)

Appendix One: Model assessment

153

(6)

Appendix Two: Terminology

159

(8)

Bibliography

167

(6)

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Translation Quality Assessment

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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Translation Quality Assessment

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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