Using Verbal Reports in Translation Research

1. Using Verbal Reports in Translation Research Julia EkaRini Petra Christian University, Surabaya LTBI Atma Jaya, Jakarta

2. Action SurveyIntrospectiveQualitative Research ResearchResearchResearch Questionnaire Interviews CaseEthno- Studies graphies Verbal Diary Reports Studies Continuum of Research Methods (McKay 2006: 16)

3. Three types of Introspectionbased on the timing of the event • concurrent introspection- collected while the research participants are doing the task. • immediate retrospection ] done not at the same time • delayed retrospection ] as the concurrent introspection

4. TAP • Think-aloud protocols (TAPs) are the result of a data collection technique that involve verbal concurrent introspection. • Introspective verbal reports

5. Nunan and Bailey (2009:287) • a research subject talks about the process under investigation while he or she is engaged in doing that process • …. As the person thinks aloud (i.e., talks about his current thought processes), his self-report is audiotape-or videotaped recorded. • It is then transcribed and the written result is the “protocol

6. Translation research • Translation product • Translation process

7. Controversies of using TAP • The problem of timing is not the issue • altering cognitive processes rather than providing a true reflection of thoughts

8. Nunan and Bailey (2009: 287) • Three levels of verbalization. • The first level is simply reporting. In this level the person just says what he is doing; • there is no need to describe (second level) or • to explain (third level) the thought process.

9. Procedures in conducting verbal reports • Provide students with a practice activity • give simple directions • be as unobtrusive as possible • do not ask leading questions • ask subjects to report their thought processes at a particular points in the text after they have read the text • record the session • pay attention to nonverbal behavior.

10. Practical guidelines • Informed consent • written explanation of the think-aloud procedure in plain language • repeat the reason why participants are asked to think aloud • should specify that their voice • will be recorded • and used in the publication • and that they will be kept anonymous. • also possible to give information about how their think-aloud will contribute to the field of research.

11. Practical guidelines continued • Instruction for research participants • We ask you to TALK ALOUD as you go through the program. What we mean by “talk aloud” is that we want you to say out loud everything that you would say to yourself silently while you think. Just act as if you were alone in the room speaking to yourself. Don’t try to explain your thoughts.

12. Practical guidelines continued • Warm-up task for translation research • non-verbal tasks • Arithmetic problems • verbal tasks • Translating a short and easy text

13. Practical guidelines continued • Timing in translation research • Thinking aloud will surely increase the time in completing a task • Time should not be limited

14. Practical guidelines continued • Language used in think-aloud protocol • Participants should be allowed to think in their first language

15. Practical guidelines continued • Recording of think-aloud • Audio recording • Using handycam: also non-verbal • Both