Research on Dictionary Use by Trainee Translators

t is a generally held belief that using dictionaries efficiently can provide valuable benefits to trainee translators. However, as some authors have stated (Roberts, 1992; Mackintosh, 1998; Corpas et al., 2001), there has not been enough empirical research to establish the profile of trainee translators as dictionary users. In this paper, we outline the results we obtained from an empirical research carried out among students of Translation Studies at University Jaume I (Castellon, Spain) in order to understand the situation of our students. In the first part of this paper, we briefly discuss questions related to offline dictionaries (type of dictionary, frequency of use, reasons for looking up words, difficulties when using dictionaries, etc.). In the second part, we look at to what point our students are familiar with electronic reference tools, mainly dictionaries in CD-ROM format and online dictionaries.

Dictionaries, mainly monolingual dictionaries, are one of the most important tools for the translator due to their valuable lexical information. Nevertheless, authors such as Fenner (1989) or Robers (1997) state that dictionaries—and lexicography in general—occupy a secondary position in Translation Studies:

To our knowledge, there has not been enough research on trainee translators as dictionary users. This research is absolutely essential if we take into account that translators spend a substantial amount of time and effort when consulting these sources (Varantola, 1998). Furthermore, this research is relevant if we want to know these students needs and teach them how to use dictionaries efficiently. Generally speaking, works related to studying how students perceive and use dictionaries have been focused on students or learners of second languages² (Mackinstosh, 1998; Varantola, 1998). We can take as an example the different research projects and theoretical works carried out by Baxter (1980) Bejoint (1981), Hartmann (1983, 1999), Humblé (2001) Luppescu and Day (1993), Campoy Cubillo (2001) or Winkler (2001). As we have stated above, this research hardly exists if we turn our attention to trainee translators. However, there have been several attempts such as the one carried out at the University of Ottawa, where several researchers analysed the use of dictionaries, mainly bilingual ones, on the part of trainee translators in forward and reverse translation (Meyer, 1988, 1990; Roberts, 1990). In line with the use of dictionaries while translating, we can mention other studies such as the ones developed by Starren and Thelen (1990), Mackintosh (1998), Varantola (1998), Atkins and Varantola (1998) Livbjerg and Mees (2003). Other works employ questionnaires³ to elicit information instead of observing trainee translators throughout the translation process (Corpas et al., 2001).

1. To gather information about dictionary use (frequency of use, difficulties of the looking-up process and causes of these difficulties, type of instruction about dictionary skills, etc.).
2. To know the trainee translators' attitude towards different reference tools (printed dictionaries, dictionaries on CD-ROM, and online dictionaries).
3. To evaluate previous instruction on dictionary use.

The analysis of data provided valuable information related to dictionary use by our students. In the following, we present a brief description of some of the results we obtained⁴.

1. Type of dictionary. First, one of our aims was to know the type of dictionary students mostly used. Table 1 shows that 87.8% of our students used a bilingual dictionary, followed by an English monolingual dictionary (10.2%) and only 2% selected a Spanish monolingual dictionary. We have to point out that the use of an English monolingual dictionary increases in advanced courses (table 2). This fact, that is, the increasing number of students using monolingual dictionaries in L1 and L2, has been highlighted by other scholars (Battengburg, 1984; Corpas et al. 2001, 246).

Most used type of dictionary
Bilingual dictionary	87.8%
English monolingual dictionary	10.2%
Spanish monolingual dictionary	2%

Table 1

 

 

 

Most used type of dictionary	Translation (beginners)	Translation (intermediate level)
Bilingual dictionary	91.8%	83.7%
English monolingual dictionary	8.2%	12.2%
Spanish monolingual dictionary	———	4.1%

Table 2

We also asked students about the specific types of dictionaries they used (table 3). Regarding bilingual dictionaries, students selected the Oxford bilingual dictionary (62.2%) and the Collins bilingual dictionary (58.2%). Other reference tools such as Cambridge, Vox, Sopena, Langenscheit, Harrap or Longman obtained very low percentages. Concerning English monolingual dictionaries, students again showed preferences for one published by Oxford (64.3%) and Collins (29.6%). Finally, in the case of the Spanish monolingual dictionaries, there was no doubt about their favourite: the Spanish dictionary edited by the Royal Spanish Academy of Language (68.4%).

2. Use of appendices and introductions. We exposed our subjects to a list of options including the most common information appendices shown in the different dictionaries. As other studies focused on learners of languages have mentioned (Hartman, 1999; Bejoint, 1981), above all the options offered, trainee translators generally used the list of abbreviations, list of irregular verbs and grammatical information.

Appendices and introductions	List of abbreviations	List of irregular verbs	Grammatical information
Bilingual dictionary	31.6%	28.6%	30.6%
English monolingual dictionary	28.6%	30.6%	30.6%
Spanish monolingual dictionary	38.8%	——-	37.8%

Table 3

It is also interesting to note that information about usage guide occupied one of the last positions. This suggests that our students hardly take advantage of these guides, which is not a very encouraging result if we take into account that they provide some useful information (organization of information, pronunciation guide, etc.). Familiarity with usage guides could produce an immediate effect in both understanding and time reduction of the looking-up process.

3. Frequency of use. Generally, our students used the bilingual dictionary every day and the English and Spanish monolingual dictionaries once a week. As table 4 shows, the more advanced the level, the less the frequency of use. It is also important to point out the percentage of students that used dictionaries less than once a week. This fact reflects the autonomy that students begin to experience and, probably, the use of other strategies (i.e. use of context) to solve translation problems.

Bilingual dictionary	Translation for beginners	Translation (intermediate level)
Every day	70.8%	59.2%
Twice/three times a day	16.7%	6.1%
Once a week	12.5%	28.6%
Less than once a week	——-	6.1%

Table 4

English monolingual dictionary	Translation for beginners	Translation (intermediate level)
Every day	26.5%	20.4%
Twice/three times a day	8.2%	6.1%
Once a week	51%	49%
Less than once a week	14.3%	24.5%

Table 5

Spanish monolingual dictionary	Translation for beginners	Translation (intermediate level)
Everyday	40.8%	36.7%
Twice/three times a day	4.1%	4.1%
Once a week	42.9%	44.9%
Less than once a week	12.2%	14.3%

Table 6

 

4. Aim of use. Translation students employed the bilingual dictionary mainly for direct translation (44.9%) and reading comprehension (33.7%). Percentages for writing, speaking and reverse translation were very low. Results for the English monolingual dictionary were similar. And, finally, the Spanish monolingual dictionary was used for productive purposes (38.8%), direct translation (27.6%), and reading comprehension (25.5%).

Bilingual dictionary	%
Writing	17.3
Reading comprehension	33.7
Listening	1
Translation into the mother tongue	44.9
Translation into the foreign language	3.1

Table 7

English monolingual dictionary	%
Writing	26.5
Speaking	1
Reading comprehension	28.6
Translation into the mother tongue	41.8
Translation into the foreign language	2

Table 8

Spanish monolingual dictionary	%
Writing	38.8
Speaking	3.1
Reading comprehension	25.5
Translation into the mother tongue	2
Translation into the foreign language	27.6

Table 9

 

5. Reasons for looking up words. We offered several options which students had to rank in terms of priority. It should be noted that our final results are similar to those obtained by Mackintosh (1998) or Corpas et al. (2001). Thus, our students used the bilingual dictionary to look for equivalent terms (80.6%), spelling (25.5%), and examples (18.4%). Concerning the English monolingual dictionary, we observed that trainee translators looked for definitions (74.5%) and spelling (22.4%). And, finally, the Spanish monolingual dictionary was used to look for definitions (60.2%), spelling (30.6%), and usage labels (33.7%).
6. Difficulties of use when looking up words. Our questionnaire also explored the difficulties students experienced when looking up words. The first problem they mentioned was that they did not find words they looked for (31.6%). Secondly, students complained that it was extremely difficult to find the specific information they were looking for (32.7%). And, finally, trainee translators were unable to understand definitions (26.5%).
7. Reasons for difficulties. It is worth noting that students attributed the bulk of their difficulties to the dictionary itself. In fact, our students believed that these problems were mainly due to their own dictionary (45.9%) and very few considered these problems related to other reasons such as their lack of familiarity with the dictionary (25.5%), lack of dictionary skills (10.3%) or unclear layout of the dictionary (12.2%).
8. Instructions in dictionary use. Closely related to the previous questions was the one concerning explicit training or instruction in how to use a dictionary. When commenting on instruction in dictionary use, it turned out that most students had not been taught how to use dictionaries (45.9%) and among those answering "yes" only 2% had received exhaustive instruction.

The second part of the questionnaire aimed to ascertain if our students used other types of reference material, specifically electronic tools. In the following paragraphs, we will describe some of the results we obtained.

9. Electronic reference tools. We wanted to know if our students were familiar with electronic dictionaries, one of the tools we believe essential as supporting material for professional and trainee translators. In general terms, students were not aware of any electronic dictionaries on CD-ROM: bilingual dictionary (70.4%), English monolingual dictionary (78.6%) and Spanish monolingual dictionary (60.2%). In contrast, trainee translators were familiar with on-line electronic reference tools. Most students (61.2%) knew online bilingual dictionaries (Cambridge dictionaries online, Babylon, Vox). This fact could also be applied to English monolingual dictionaries (41.8%)—Oxford, Merriam-Webster, Wordmisht, American Heritage Dictionary—and the Spanish monolingual ones (64.3%)—Spanish Royal Academy dictionary and Vox. Nevertheless, these results were not so encouraging if we take into account that our students did not consider themselves "good dictionary users" (only 4.1% defined themselves as good users).
10. Advantages and disadvantages of electronic dictionaries. In terms of advantages and disadvantages of electronic dictionaries, trainee translators highlighted quick access, accessibility, and usefulness as the main advantages and they mentioned lack of skills in using online dictionaries as the main disadvantage.

Roberts, R. P. (1997). "Using dictionaries efficiently". Paper presented at 38th Annual Conference of the American Translators Association, San Francisco, California. http://www.dico.uottawa.ca/articles-en.htm. [Consulted on: 19/08/2004].

Winkler, B. (2001). "Students working with an English learners' dictionary on CD-ROM". Paper presented at Information Technology and Multimedia in English Language Teaching Conference, Hong Kong, 1-2 June http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/conference/papers2001/winkler.htm. [Consulted on: 19/08/2004].