Do dictionaries really convey the meaning? The influence of the microstructure of selected dictionaries on the quality of student translations

Abstract

By presenting and discussing the results of a specialist translation assignment completed by students of English, this chapter attempts to determine whether and how dictionary microstructure can contribute to the quality of the target text. The habits of using various lexicographic tools by trainee translators are examined on the basis of think aloud protocols, diaries, and dictionary evaluation charts submitted by the informants and in the context of research into dictionary use (Atkins and Varantola in Monitoring dictionary use 2008; Frankenberg-Garcia 2005; Lew 2002, 2004; Kołodziejczak 2009; Kopczyńska 2009; Pieścikowski 2004; Whyatt 2006). Moreover, several recent developments in dictionary making are presented to demonstrate how lexicography can address translators’ needs (e.g. Lew 2009; Szemińska 2011). The meaning-oriented assessment criteria developed by Kim (2009) have been applied to evaluate the quality of submitted translations and test the efficacy of the new marking system. The findings of the experiment show that dictionary use, an integral part of one’s translation competence, must get the due place it deserves in translator training to enable inexperienced translators to fully exploit these resources (Atkins and Varantola 2008; Frankenberg-Garcia 2005). The results of the study may be found useful by both translators and lexicographers and contribute to mutual cooperation within both disciplines as proposed by Tarp (2008: 63).