The Difference between Field Independent and Field Dependent Cognitive Styles regarding Translation Quality

Abstract

Cognitive translation studies are one of the assorted fields under research in translation studies trying to deal with the complex cognitive process of translator while rendering. This study investigated the difference between field independent (FI) and field dependent (FD) English translation students in Iran concerning translation of an English literary text. 297 female and male undergraduate students at Islamic Azad University of Tehran participated in this study. The researcher administered two main tests in order, the piloted TOEFL test for homogenizing the participants in terms of English language proficiency and then GEFT test to recognize FI and FD students. Afterwards, FI and FD groups translated the same text. As a result of the statistical analysis it was signified that FI students outperformed the FD ones regarding translation of a literary text.