Challenges of translator training and competence in the Arab world: Jordan as a case study

Abstract EN

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges facing translator training and competence in the Arab world (Jordan as a case study).

as the translator’s profession is constantly developing due to technological advances and the industry’s growing needs for language services and solutions, a translator needs to be well-trained and really competent for keeping up to the ever-changing conditions the whole world is witnessing.

methodically, a four-facet interview was made in person with professors of translation studies at Jordanian universities and virtually with others from different Arab countries.

the subject participants were asked to talk about what university curricula need to focus on: I) bilingually, mother and foreign language proficiency, ii) culturally, knowledge of culture and subject-matter specialty, iii) technically, CAT tools and machine translation (MT) engines and iv) personally, project management and soft skills.

a sound methodological base was found to be necessary for training translators in the form of short-term courses (at the tertiary level with renewable curricula by universities) and long-term practices (with relevant policies and appropriate actions by institutions).

expected to cater to specific market skills or niches, practicums (or internships) were also found to to be good places novice translators can learn how to deal with long texts, work to deadlines, learn interaction with clients and handle poorly written SL texts.

moreover, achieving translation competence was revealed to be highly related to a wide range of personal attitudes and technical skills.

on the whole, a mismatch still exists between what is being taught to students and what the market is willing to pay for.

translators need to develop their competence in a variety of sub-areas: linguistics, knowledge, technology and personality; the same can be called as the academic / vocational dichotomy of competence.