Abstract:
Traditionally, teachers tend to use made-up examples or textbook examples to teach translation concepts and methods such as literal translation and free translation. However, this teaching method has been criticized for giving learners a false idea of the use of language and the translation methods used in the real world. In recent years, Translation Studies scholars have been calling for using real-life examples as well as adopting innovative and interactive ways to teach translation because translators trained in conventional approaches can no longer satisfy the new demands brought by the rapid development of information technology and globalization. In addition, ways to help translation learners to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world practice are of paramount importance in order to foster learning inside and outside classrooms.
To answer the call for using real-life examples and adopting innovative and interactive approaches to translation education, this project aims to develop an innovative mobile application called TransMap that can not only foster the learning of translation anytime, anywhere in real-life contexts but also facilitate peer learning.
This project benefits translation educators and researchers as it will provide empirical data in implementing one of the first mobile apps used for teaching and learning in translation classrooms and forster the development of mobile-assisted learning in Translation Studies. In addition, students at EdUHK and beyond can use “TransMap” in the long run to facilitate translation learning.
Code:
T0229
Principal Project Supervisors:
Keywords provided by authors:
Start Date:
02 Mar 2020
End Date:
01 Sep 2021
Status:
Completed
Result:
Among the main functions of TransMap, student users enjoyed “Tag” and “Game” the most and found them significantly helpful to their translation learning.
For “Tag”, students can take photos of translations found in their surroundings and upload them to TransMap, where they discuss with other users the translation methods used in the real-life examples. The photos will then be geo-tagged on our map. Students expressed their interest in sharing translation cases found in society with other users and learning from their peers via the app. They left comments on tags created by other users to discuss mistakes or interesting examples found in the real-life examples, and then they give a better alternative of the translation.
For “Game”, students can consolidate their knowledge of translation concepts and language usage by answering game questions which are about translation methods and the use of language in the real world. Students enjoyed solving translation-related problems in real-life contexts and gaining points to level up in the game section. According to the students taking part in the interviews, they made use of their time during transit to answer game questions and thought it was a more enjoyable way to review translation topics learned in class.
Impact:
It is true that, in traditional classrooms, lecturers offer examples to illustrate translation, but students are not given the opportunity to discover and observe authentic examples on their own after class. The use of TransMap fosters learning inside and outside classrooms. When students participate in TransMap, lecturing about translation will no longer be the sole mode of instruction, and students will become self-directed learners as they examine real-world examples. Learning in the classroom and putting the learning into practice can be bridged.
The project provides teachers with evidence-based guidance for implementing mobile-assisted learning for translation education. Most Translation Studies related to the usage of technology in translation classrooms focus on computer-assisted translation tools and machine translation. This project is one of the first to investigate the effectiveness of mobile applications used in translator training. The empirical data are important for facilitating the development of mobile-assisted learning in translation studies.
Deliverables:
Seminars/Presentations/Sharing Sessions
Liu, F. M. C. (2020, Summer). A Workshop on Introduction to TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/a-workshop-on-introduction-to-transmap-2)
Liu, F. M. C. (2020, Summer). A Workshop on Introduction to TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 47 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/a-workshop-on-introduction-to-transmap-3)
Liu, F. M. C. (2020, October 12). A Workshop on Introduction to TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 91 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/a-workshop-on-introduction-to-transmap-4)
Liu, F. M. C. (2020, October 19). A Workshop on Testing the TransMap App [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 10 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/a-workshop-on-testing-the-transmap-app)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, March 1). Learning translation in a brand-new way – TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/learning-translation-in-a-brand-new-way-transmap)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, March 4). Learning translation in a brand-new way – TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/learning-translation-in-a-brand-new-way-transmap-2)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, March 8). Learning translation in a brand-new way – TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/learning-translation-in-a-brand-new-way-transmap-3)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, March 15). Learning translation in a brand-new way – TransMap [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 98 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/learning-translation-in-a-brand-new-way-transmap-4)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, May 21). A seminar on 善用手機程式的遊戲元素 鼓勵課堂以外的學習 [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 18 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/8c8172ac-85e7-4059-84ac-ec4ee4c82f87)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, July 2). A Workshop on TransMap：學習翻譯技巧解決文化差異 . The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 34 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/53d3668d-78e1-4f61-a243-0d0d63bae3ca)
Liu, F. M. C. (2021, October 20). A Workshop on Introduction to TransMap. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 69 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/a-workshop-on-introduction-to-transmap)
Teaching and Learning Resources/ Materials (including online resources)
TransMap from Google Play and App Store (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/transmap-from-google-play-and-app-store)
Financial Year:
2019-20
Type:
TDG