What is Documentary Research?

This post highlights one of the main skills required in the industry of translation and interpreting. Indeed, Documentary Research is now a crucial component of any educational or training curriculum in translation and interpreting.

Both professional and would-be translators and interpeters need to attain high-level Documentary Research skills in order to ascertain their final products are accurate, efficient and consistent. They will have to dig out all the available databases and resources by using advanced techniques of research.

Here is a list of videos which deals with the topic of Documentary Research, its benefits and its techniques. This list will of course be updated, you could save it by adding it to your favourite links in order to access it later easily: Documentary Research

Free Methodology Resources

Below are listed some links to free methodology resources:

Research Methodology - Process (in English)

Research Methodology - Philosophies (in English)

Méthodologie de la Recherche - B.A. BA (in French)

Research Methodology - Basics (in Arabic)

Research Methodology - Review of Literature

Documentary Research

Research Methodology - Academic Reading (in English)

Research Methodology - Academic Writing (in English)

Research Methodology - Design, Methods and Procedure

Research Methodology - Analysis of Data, Interpretation of Results & Discussion of Findings

          Statistical Method:

                   Statistical Method (in English)

                   Statistical Method (in Arabic)

                   SPSS Tutorials (in English/French)

                   SPSS Tutorials (in Arabic)

                   Data Analysis with Excel

          Grounded Theory

          MAXQDA Tutorials 

          QDA MINER Tutorials

          Nvivo Tutorials

Research Methodology - Writing Styles (in English)

Research Methodology - Writing Styles (in Arabic)


The above-curated playlists will be updated. Check them out later or subscribe to this blog to get info in your inbox. Do not hesitate do get in touch, if you have any questions.

Translation Theory for Newbies

   

This post deals with the question of Translation Theory's relevance to the professional practice of translation. Most of the practicing translators would think that it is not very important, especially the ad hoc translators and interpreters. Yet, I disagree with them on this point. It is true that practice makes perfect, however I believe that the new translators won't have time to make all the errors of their predecessors and colleagues or just of the fellow translators and interpreters in order to learn. Knowledge of translation theories is a must, it saves time and helps in achieving high-quality translations which fit for the purpose of the projects. 

        Here is a thread which might be enlightening to newbies. Professor As-Safi from Petra University surveyed most of the theories and provided an interesting account which might guide your search in this area. He pointed out that they were developed in four periods. The main theories are as follows:

- Philological Theories

- Philosophical Theories

- Linguistic Theories

- Functional Theories

- Text-type Theory

- Translational Action Theory

- Skopos Theory

- Socio-linguistic Theories

- Interpretative Theory

- Systems Theories

- Polysystem Theory

- Manipulation Theory

- Aesthetic Communication Theory

- Relevance Theory

              He also calls for a Comprehensive, Applicable Theory.
              What do you think?