Translator's self-confidence versus selfefficacy: A terminology proposal and literature review

Abstract

Even though there has been a growing interest in constructs related to the branch of Translation Studies known as Translation Psychology in the past few years, further research is required into this topic (Hubscher-Davidson, 324-325). This paper will focus on selfconfidence and self-efficacy, two self-perceptions whose conceptual difference is not always clear to researchers, probably due to the recent incorporation of the term self-efficacy to Translation Studies. In this paper the differences and similarities between these two psychological constructs will be established. A terminology proposal will also be presented to clarify this confusion. Moreover, previous studies on translator's selfefficacy and self-confidence will be described. This will allow us to offer a panoramic view of the research performed on these two constructs and thus to identify research lines that need to be explored. Among these lines are the influence that self-awareness can have on the development of selfefficacy and self-confidence, the relation that may exist between these two self-perceptions and the decision-making process, or the relation that may exist between self-efficacy, self-confidence and other self-perceptions, such as self-concept.