Identifying the Use of Online Resources in Doing Self-Corrections: A Study of Indonesian Student Translators

Abstract

This research is aimed at investigating the use of online resources in doing self-corrections. To achieve this objective, this research uses triangulation method by combining keyboard logging program (Translog-II), screen recording tools (Camtasia) and retrospective questions to collect the data. This research belongs to a qualitative research employing an exploratory case study as a method. The researcher views external processes – especially in terms of using online resources in doing self-corrections – while translating an English text into an Indonesian text as the central phenomenon requiring exploration and understanding. The participants are student translators – the students of Master Degree Program of Linguistics Department majoring translation studies at the University of Sumatera Utara (USU) without any professional experience on translation. The participants have a paper based TOEFL score of more than 475, UKBI score of more than 550, typing speed of more than above 20 wpm (words per minute) with more than 90% of accuracy. The findings show the student translators’ preference to using Google translate while doing self-correction, their dependence on translation machines and online dictionaries, and their low capability in managing online resources.