Language Courses as Potential Indicators of Translation Performance: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Linguistic competence is a key factor in the preparation of translation students. Although translation competence encompasses linguistic competence, the interaction between the two calls for empirical exploration. This study examines whether students’ performance, particularly in language skills, can be a potential indicator of the quality of their translations. A total of forty-eight translation students from a college of languages and translation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were recruited to participate in the study. Students marks in previous language skills courses were statistically correlated with their marks in the final exam of a translation course. The results indicated a significant positive association between two language skills, namely grammar and reading, and students’ competence in translation. The writing skill, however, showed no significant impact on students’ performance in translation. This study has practical implications for students in translation programmes, teachers of language skills courses in these programmes, and those in charge of curriculum.