Segmentation in Translation: A Look at Expert Behaviour

Arnt Lykke Jakobsen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

The present contribution examines an interesting but technically quite imperfect sample recording in the CRITT Centre’s TPR-database in an attempt to demonstrate how imperfect gaze data can be meaningfully reconstructed and to illustrate and explore details of translational keystroke and gaze behaviour in a single translator. The data clearly show that translation proceeds segment by segment. A source text (ST) segment is read, comprehended, and translated. As the translation is typed, we see it emerging segment by segment. Perfectly smooth production of target text across extended stretches of time is not frequently seen, but is often approximated. Highly expert performers are able to bind processing segments together into a flow of continuous production. From their recorded gaze behaviour, we can observe that experts do process text segment by segment, so how is it that they can manage to sometimes maintain fairly continuous production? Evidence of how reading, comprehension, translation, formulation and typing activities are coordinated is found in recorded gaze data, which provide detailed evidence of what ST text unit was being worked on at any given point in time, and evidence provided by keystrokes. These combined sources of evidence can be used to infer both what ST (sub)segment was being processed within what ST context, and in what manner, always with the big unknowns at play of the translator’s knowledge, memory, meaning construction intelligence and expressive power – and the suspicion that the human brain is doing a good deal more than eye movements and keystrokes reveal.
The present contribution examines an interesting but technically quite imperfect sample recording in the CRITT Centre’s TPR-database in an attempt to demonstrate how imperfect gaze data can be meaningfully reconstructed and to illustrate and explore details of translational keystroke and gaze behaviour in a single translator. The data clearly show that translation proceeds segment by segment. A source text (ST) segment is read, comprehended, and translated. As the translation is typed, we see it emerging segment by segment. Perfectly smooth production of target text across extended stretches of time is not frequently seen, but is often approximated. Highly expert performers are able to bind processing segments together into a flow of continuous production. From their recorded gaze behaviour, we can observe that experts do process text segment by segment, so how is it that they can manage to sometimes maintain fairly continuous production? Evidence of how reading, comprehension, translation, formulation and typing activities are coordinated is found in recorded gaze data, which provide detailed evidence of what ST text unit was being worked on at any given point in time, and evidence provided by keystrokes. These combined sources of evidence can be used to infer both what ST (sub)segment was being processed within what ST context, and in what manner, always with the big unknowns at play of the translator’s knowledge, memory, meaning construction intelligence and expressive power – and the suspicion that the human brain is doing a good deal more than eye movements and keystrokes reveal.
LanguageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearching Cognitive Processes of Translation
EditorsDefeng Li, Victoria Lai Cheng Lei, Yuanjian He
Number of pages38
Place of PublicationSingapore
PublisherSpringer
Date2019
Pages71-108
ISBN (Print)9789811319839
ISBN (Electronic)9789811319846
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
SeriesNew Frontiers in Translation Studies
ISSN2197-8689

Bibliographical note

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Cite this

Lykke Jakobsen, A. (2019). Segmentation in Translation: A Look at Expert Behaviour. In D. Li, V. L. C. Lei, & Y. He (Eds.), Researching Cognitive Processes of Translation (pp. 71-108). Singapore: Springer. New Frontiers in Translation Studies, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-1984-6_4
Lykke Jakobsen, Arnt. / Segmentation in Translation : A Look at Expert Behaviour. Researching Cognitive Processes of Translation. editor / Defeng Li ; Victoria Lai Cheng Lei ; Yuanjian He. Singapore : Springer, 2019. pp. 71-108 (New Frontiers in Translation Studies).
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Lykke Jakobsen, A 2019, Segmentation in Translation: A Look at Expert Behaviour. in D Li, VLC Lei & Y He (eds), Researching Cognitive Processes of Translation. Springer, Singapore, New Frontiers in Translation Studies, pp. 71-108. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-1984-6_4

Segmentation in Translation : A Look at Expert Behaviour. / Lykke Jakobsen, Arnt.

Researching Cognitive Processes of Translation. ed. / Defeng Li; Victoria Lai Cheng Lei; Yuanjian He. Singapore : Springer, 2019. p. 71-108.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

TY - CHAP

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N1 - CBS Library does not have access to the material

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N2 - The present contribution examines an interesting but technically quite imperfect sample recording in the CRITT Centre’s TPR-database in an attempt to demonstrate how imperfect gaze data can be meaningfully reconstructed and to illustrate and explore details of translational keystroke and gaze behaviour in a single translator. The data clearly show that translation proceeds segment by segment. A source text (ST) segment is read, comprehended, and translated. As the translation is typed, we see it emerging segment by segment. Perfectly smooth production of target text across extended stretches of time is not frequently seen, but is often approximated. Highly expert performers are able to bind processing segments together into a flow of continuous production. From their recorded gaze behaviour, we can observe that experts do process text segment by segment, so how is it that they can manage to sometimes maintain fairly continuous production? Evidence of how reading, comprehension, translation, formulation and typing activities are coordinated is found in recorded gaze data, which provide detailed evidence of what ST text unit was being worked on at any given point in time, and evidence provided by keystrokes. These combined sources of evidence can be used to infer both what ST (sub)segment was being processed within what ST context, and in what manner, always with the big unknowns at play of the translator’s knowledge, memory, meaning construction intelligence and expressive power – and the suspicion that the human brain is doing a good deal more than eye movements and keystrokes reveal.

AB - The present contribution examines an interesting but technically quite imperfect sample recording in the CRITT Centre’s TPR-database in an attempt to demonstrate how imperfect gaze data can be meaningfully reconstructed and to illustrate and explore details of translational keystroke and gaze behaviour in a single translator. The data clearly show that translation proceeds segment by segment. A source text (ST) segment is read, comprehended, and translated. As the translation is typed, we see it emerging segment by segment. Perfectly smooth production of target text across extended stretches of time is not frequently seen, but is often approximated. Highly expert performers are able to bind processing segments together into a flow of continuous production. From their recorded gaze behaviour, we can observe that experts do process text segment by segment, so how is it that they can manage to sometimes maintain fairly continuous production? Evidence of how reading, comprehension, translation, formulation and typing activities are coordinated is found in recorded gaze data, which provide detailed evidence of what ST text unit was being worked on at any given point in time, and evidence provided by keystrokes. These combined sources of evidence can be used to infer both what ST (sub)segment was being processed within what ST context, and in what manner, always with the big unknowns at play of the translator’s knowledge, memory, meaning construction intelligence and expressive power – and the suspicion that the human brain is doing a good deal more than eye movements and keystrokes reveal.

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Lykke Jakobsen A. Segmentation in Translation: A Look at Expert Behaviour. In Li D, Lei VLC, He Y, editors, Researching Cognitive Processes of Translation. Singapore: Springer. 2019. p. 71-108. (New Frontiers in Translation Studies). Available from, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-1984-6_4

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