Machine Translation and Foreign Language Learning (New Frontiers in Translation Studies)

✍ Scribed by Kizito Tekwa

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2024
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 189
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The book investigates how machine translation (MT) provides opportunities and increases the willingness to communicate in a foreign language. It is informed by a mixed methods methodological approach that analyzes quantitative and qualitative data of questionnaires and real-time instant messages (IM). The book is unique because it contains tables, figures, and screenshots of actual real-time IM exchanges. It is innovative in discussing IM translation, a novel form of MT, and demonstrates how the technology offers English foreign language learners, in this case, Chinese college students, communication opportunities while increasing their willingness to communicate. The study provides an interesting insight into IM user profiles, clients, and usages. Smartphone screenshots are the locale of the study whose findings have far-reaching implications for students, language and translation instructors, and curriculum designers.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
1.1 Epistemological Grounding of the Study
1.2 Objective
1.3 Hypotheses and Assumptions
1.4 General Methods
1.5 Scope
1.6 Contribution to Knowledge
1.7 Book Structure
References
2 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
2.1.2 Machine Translation (MT)
2.1.3 Instant Messaging (IM)
2.1.4 English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
2.1.5 Foreign Language Willingness to Communicate (FL WTC)
2.1.6 Opportunities to Communicate in a Foreign Language (FL OTC)
2.2 Understanding IM
2.2.1 Profile of IM Users
2.2.2 IM Language
2.2.3 IM and FL Learning
2.3 MT, IM, and Translation
2.3.1 Advantages, Uses, and Challenges of MT
2.3.2 Real-Time Machine-Translated IM
2.3.3 An Overview of Some IM Translation Clients
2.3.4 WeChat
2.3.5 QQ International
2.3.6 Skype Translator
2.3.7 Lringo
2.3.8 ChatLingual
2.3.9 VoxOx
2.3.10 Sendboo
2.4 IM and Translators
2.5 IM Translation and Translation Studies
2.5.1 IM Translation and Translator Training
2.5.2 IM and Translation Ethics
2.6 The Future of IM Translation
2.7 Conclusion and Research Questions
References
3 Methodology
3.1 Application Choice
3.1.1 Compatibility of the IM Tool
3.2 Participant Selection
3.3 General Framework for Gathering Data
3.3.1 Questionnaire Development and Administration
3.3.2 Data Collection
3.3.3 Pairing of Participants
3.3.4 Introductory Meeting and Questionnaires
3.3.5 Exchanges
3.3.6 Discussion Topics and Themes
3.4 Data Analysis
3.4.1 Analysis of Data to Determine FL WTC
3.4.2 McCroskey’s WTC Scale
3.4.3 Initial and Final Questionnaires
3.4.4 Analysis of Data to Determine FL OTC
3.4.5 Number of Words and Turns
3.4.6 Incoming Message Translation and Usefulness of the IM Translator
3.4.7 Conversation Enhancement
3.4.8 Synchronous Exchanges
3.4.9 Ownership
3.4.10 Clarification Questions, Paraphrases, and Requests for Explanation
3.5 Limitations of the Methodology
3.6 Conclusion
References
4 Findings
4.1 Findings About WTC Perception
4.1.1 Finding 1: Increased WTC Level for Participants with IM Translation Option
4.1.2 Finding 2: Overall Increase in Individual WTC Score
4.1.3 Finding 3: WTC Level, WTC Score, and IM Data Exchanged
4.1.4 Finding 4: Delayed Communication for Participants Without the IM Translator
4.2 Findings About OTC
4.2.1 Finding 1: Participants Believe the IM Tool Enhanced Communication
4.2.2 Finding 2: Number of Words and Turns Exchanged
4.2.3 Finding 3: Outgoing Messages Translated
4.2.4 Finding 4: Conversation Ownership During Synchronous Exchanges
4.2.5 Finding 5: Conversation Enhancement
4.2.6 Finding 6: Pre-selected Topics/Tasks
4.2.7 Finding 7: Synchronous Exchanges
4.2.8 Finding 8: Repetition, Paraphrase and Explanation
4.2.9 Finding 9: Participants’ Use of the IM Translation Option
4.3 Conclusion
References
5 Discussion and Implications
5.1 Implications of the Findings for the Conceptual Framing of WTC
5.1.1 Perception Versus Reality
5.1.2 Revisiting the Definition of WTC
5.1.3 Different Parameters for Measuring WTC
5.2 Implications of the Findings for FL Pedagogy
5.2.1 MT and IM Use in the FL Learning Environment
5.2.2 Recycling Learner-Generated Data for Pedagogical Purposes
5.2.3 Knowledge of Learners’ Profiles
5.2.4 Possibility of Exposure to a Foreign Culture
5.3 Implications of the Findings for Translation Studies
5.3.1 The Interdisciplinary Nature of Translation Studies
5.3.2 Tools to Use and Contents to Teach in the Translation Training Environment
5.3.3 Pre-editing the SL Input and Training Students to Write for MT
5.3.4 Collaboration
5.3.5 Translation Quality
5.3.6 MT Post-editing
5.4 Conclusion
References
6 Conclusion
6.1 Summary of the Study
6.2 Summary of Limitations
6.3 Contribution to Knowledge and Avenues for Further Research
References
Appendix A Interpersonal, Group, and Meeting WTC Score Compare
Appendix B Participants’ Perception of the Usefulness of the IM Translation Option
Appendix C Ranking of China-Based Participants According to Turns and Percentage of IM Exchanged
Appendix D Ranking of Participants Based on Performance on Various Tasks/Topics
Appendix E Tasks and Topics Discussed
Appendix F Ranking of Participants Based on the Number of Conversation Enhancers
Appendix G Ranking of Participants Based on Synchronous Exchanges
Appendix H Ranking of Participants Based on Conversation Categories
Appendix I Machine-Translated IM-Related Challenges and How Participants Resolved Them
Appendix J Timeline of Communication for All Participants
Appendix K 20-Item WTC Proposed by McCroskey
Bibliography
Index