The article explores sign language interpreter training, testing, and accreditation in three major English-speaking countries, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, by providing an overview of the training and assessment of sign language interpreters in each country. The article highlights the reasons these countries can be…

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effectiveness of two types of vocabulary instruction--image-schema-based instruction (ISBI) and translation-based instruction (TBI)--on the acquisition of second language (L2) polysemous words. Fifty-eight Japanese high school learners of English were divided into two treatment groups (ISBI and TBI)…

Excerpts of the interview with Umberto Eco, a prominent semiotician, by two specialists in Esperanto focused on the role of translation, which paradoxically appears to be essential for the existence of a universal language such as Esperanto. Topics addressed include the perceived conflict between the existence of a "perfect," universal…

Classroom techniques for encouraging native Japanese-speaking learners of English to begin the writing process in English, rather than depending on translation from Japanese, are offered. They consist of short, structured exercises with parameters based on spelling, word length, syllable count, alphabetization, pronunciation, letter shape, and…

Increased international business and technological advances that speed business communication are affecting the expectations that business has for translators. More companies are asking translation agencies to translate such items as English business letters, advertising campaigns, flyers, brochures, and technical manuals into other languages,…

This report on machine translation contains a brief history of the field; a description of the processes involved; a discussion of systems currently in use, including three software packages on the market (Teaching Assistant, Translate, and Globalink); reflections on implications for teaching; observations of results obtained when elements of…

Thirty-eight dialogues are presented, each illustrating a common, real-life interpreting situation involving medical and/or legal issues and terminology. Each involves both Spanish and English languages, and the situations are specific to New South Wales, Australia. They are designed to be used as a resource in teaching interpreting. The…

Advanced learners' processing of linguistic knowledge in connection with a translation task from Danish into English is discussed. The focus of the discussion is on learners' use of different types of linguistic knowledge (the degree to which they use this linguistic knowledge and the form in which it is represented). The following issues are…

An overview of the skills, techniques, tools, and compensation of language translators and interpreters is offered. It begins with a definition of translation and a brief history of translation in the western world. Basic principles of translation dating back to Roman writers are also outlined. A five-step process in producing a good translation…

Reports on three German literature courses taught in English at Temple University. The descriptions give course content, materials and methodologies used, and an indication of the success of each course. (Text is in German.) (TL)

A collection of 49 Eskimo narrations forming part of the authentic oral traditions formerly passed on by village elders to succeeding generations are presented in a bilingual format of Yupik and English. These stories and teachings are by and about the Central Yupik people of southwestern Alaska, the largest cultural group native to the state. For…

Teachers' instructional notes for a Hausa course designed for Peace Corps volunteer language and cultural training contains lesson translations, questions for classroom use in several tenses, stories, readings, and summaries, lists of idioms and verbs, pattern drills, and notes on classroom technique. The information is intended to accompany a set…

An examination of translation and conference interpretation as well-established academic professions focuses on how they should be taught in order to maintain the integrity of the two professions and the highest standards in their exercise. An introductory section answers the question, "Can translation and interpretation be taught?,"…

West Germany's university system requires that translation be taught as part of the English second language curriculum. One faculty member feels that using translation as a teaching and testing tool has these disadvantages. Translation (1) encourages thinking in one language and transferring to another, with accompanying interference; (2) deprives…

This study analyzes the sociocultural factors that affect translations of the Dewey Decimal Classification system (DDC) from English into four other languages, i.e., Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, and Turkish. The study was performed in three stages: each entry in each translation was compared with the edition of DDC on which it was based; each class of…