PARALLEL TEXTS FOR ECONOMIC TRANSLATION (ESP > ENG): A PRACTICAL CASE STUDY FROM THE CLASSROOM

Abstract

The importance of parallel texts as part of the research process done previous to the translation of a specialised document is especially appreciated in teaching future translators. Undergraduates lack this translating experience and a way to counteract this is through the use of texts enabling the learner to become initiated with the specialised information. Given that searching for these texts is a long, time-consuming process, more time is allotted for deadline dates in the academic venue. However, much less time is available for this in the professional world (Mayoral 1997/1998: n. p.). A case study is presented here which analyses the parallel texts chosen by undergraduates in the research process they carried out in order to translate an assigned task to be marked for reverse translation of specialised texts on economy in the University of Vigo. The conditions under which this study was conducted, its results and conclusions will also be described.