Technical Translation: Cognitive Approach to Foreign Language Comprehension

Anna Karyscheva (Akademie für Geisteswissenschaften, Samara, Russland) [BIO]

Email: karysheva.a.v@mail.ru

 

ABSTRACT:

In our report we would like to discuss the status of technical translation against foreign language study in the context of philological (namely linguistic) education. Translation has been traditionally considered incompatible with the process of foreign language study, being absolutely different in nature from the natural speech production mechanisms.

We assume that notwithstanding the difference between these two types of activity, translation is important for both study of foreign language for specific purposes and philological education. In this respect we consider that technical translation should be an integral part of philological education, and should help students develop professional qualities and erudition necessary for all-round education of a philologist/linguist, who should be a versatile specialist in foreign languages, he/she should be ready to work with various texts for various purposes in various conditions.

Technical translation involves a high level of linguistic competence, special linguistic behavior and requires different cognitive skills if compared with foreign language study in various levels. There are many factors affecting perception of special texts in technical language, and in our report we are going to discuss some of them and suggest some ways to help students to overcome difficulties of perception of a foreign technical text, to produce a correct translation and, what is even more important, to develop professionally important skills.