Grammatical aspects of translating terminology

Batyrova Alina

MNU

Fundamentals of Language Theory

Professor: Yevgeniy Y. Puzikov

December 8, 2024

Abstract
 1

This paper discusses the use of the high falling intonation contour in different

communicative contexts with a focus on phonetic and phonological characteristics. Based on an

in-depth analysis of previous studies, experimental studies, and qualitative interviews, this study

tries to provide an explanation of how high falling intonation performs the functions of emotion

and attitude expression and pragmatic subtlety. The findings highlight its crucial role in

expressing assertiveness, finality, and emotional intensity. Future research implications include

its use in language acquisition and the design of artificial intelligence models.

Contents
 2

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Grammatical Difficulties Encountered in Translation

2.3 Translation Instruments and Methods

3. Methodology

3.1 Methodological Framework

3.2 Participants

3.3 Data Acquisition

3.4 Data Analysis

4. Results

4.1 Identified Grammatical Errors

4.2 Efficacy of Translation Instruments

4.3 Need for Formal Education

4.4 Implications of Linguistic Diversity

4.5 Student Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles

5. Discussion

5.1 Implications of Findings

5.2 Recommendations for Practice

6. Conclusion

7. List of References

6. Appendices

List of Abbreviations
 3

Abbreviation Explanation

MT Machine Translation

NLP Natural Language Processing

CAT Computer-Assisted Translation

1. Introduction

In the area of translation studies, there is a big problem concerning the accurate

transmission of specialized vocabulary from one language to another. This problem becomes

even more acute in such fields as law, medicine, and technology, where terminological

exactitude is crucial. The grammatical structures—that is, both the syntax and morphology—are

essential in preserving the proper meaning and function of the terms to be translated in the target

language.

The objective of the present research is to identify grammatical aspects involved in the

translation of terminology by investigating students' experience at Maqsut Narikbayev

University. Analyzing data from a survey and reviewing existing literature, the study aims to

identify common grammatical issues encountered during translation and evaluate the

effectiveness of current translation tools and training programs.

That is why this research has become an essential reality in the development of quality

translations by dealing with the grammatical hurdles. Improvement in translation accuracy is

important not only for effective communication but for the very development of cross-cultural

understanding and cooperation as well.

Main Body

2. Literature Review
 4

2.1 Conceptual Framework

Translation transcends the simple act of replacing words; it necessitates a profound

comprehension of the grammatical frameworks of both the source and target languages.

Jakobson (1959) classifies translation into three types: intralingual, interlingual, and

intersemiotic, highlighting the intricate nature of conveying meaning across different linguistic

contexts.

2.2 Grammatical Difficulties Encountered in Translation

Grammatical equivalence is one of the basic problems in translation. Kobyakova and

Mishchenko (2018) underline that differences in grammatical categories such as tense, aspect,

and voice can create significant problems while translating from one language to another, for

example, from English into Ukrainian. Similarly, in Alsmadi (2022), it is noted that word order,

agreement, and terminological consistency are some of the most frequent obstacles impeding the

translation of scientific papers from English into Arabic.

2.3 Translation Instruments and Methods

The rise of MT and NLP technologies has revolutionized the field of translation. Still,

MT technologies suffer from specific context-dependent grammar and specialized terminology.

According to Xu and Carpuat, 2021), the integration of rule-based morphological inflection may

enhance the neural translation of terminology to overcome some of the weaknesses of current

MT systems.

3. Methodology

3.1 Methodological Framework

The methodology in this research is a mixed-method approach, where the results include

both quantitative and qualitative data in exploring grammatical problems faced during translation
 5

in specialist terminology. The survey instrument gathers numeric data on occurrence rates and

categories of grammatical problems that the students find challenging. The qualitative portion

comprises open-ended questions and follow-up interviews in the original study to give in-depth

views concerning the exact types of problems and adaptive strategies resorted to by the

participants. This dual methodology allows for a comprehensive examination, synthesizing the

broad applicability of quantitative data with the nuanced understanding offered by qualitative

insights.

3.2 Participants

Subjects The subjects of this study are 32 students enrolled at Maqsut Narikbayev

University, selected through purposive sampling to represent a variety in terms of experience in

translation studies. This heterogeneity will allow for an in-depth exploration of grammatical

challenges faced at different levels of proficiency. The sample includes both undergraduate and

graduate students with a mix of native speakers of Kazakh and Russian, mirroring the linguistic

diversity in the university's student body.

3.3 Data Acquisition

Data were collected through an online questionnaire shared via the university's internal

communication channels. The questionnaire included multiple-choice items to quantify the

incidence and types of grammatical problems encountered, as well as open-ended questions to

more fully explore participants' experiences. Additionally, follow-up semi-structured interviews

were conducted with a subset of participants to further explore specific concerns raised in the

survey responses.

This combination of data gathering techniques ensures that a holistic understanding of the

research problem is attained.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics in order to

identify common grammatical problems and their frequency among the respondents. The

qualitative data from open-ended questions and interviews were analyzed using thematic

analysis, following the six-phase process outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006).

4. Results

4.1 Identified Grammatical Errors

The survey conducted among students of Maqsut Narikbayev University revealed some

common grammatical problems while translating specialized terms:

Syntactic Differences: The respondents noted that the syntactic structures of both the

source and target languages were hard to reconcile. For example, the use of adjectives before

nouns in English and after nouns in Kazakh or Russian often caused confusion and errors while

translating.

Morphological Variations: The understanding of terminologies with intricate

morphological structures, such as compounding and affixation, proved to be pretty tough. It was

quite troublesome for students to retain the original meaning while transforming those

morphological structures into target language syntactic patterns.

The idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms proved especially difficult to translate,

since literal translations almost never brought out the meaning properly and led to

misunderstanding.

Terminological Consistency: How to ensure consistency in the use of specialized

terminology in various contexts was a frequent concern, particularly where several translations

existed for one term.

Such results are in line with the existing literature, which underlines the complexities in

sentence structure, differences in terminology, and idiomatic expressions in the field of scientific

and technical translation (Kuchkarova, 2020).

4.2 Efficacy of Translation Instruments

The survey also tested the effectiveness of different translation tools used by the students:

Machine Translation Systems: Tools like Google Translate have been commonly used to make

initial translations. However, students noted that these systems often struggle with context-

dependent grammar and domain-specific vocabulary, resulting in translations that are

grammatically correct but semantically incorrect. This is in line with studies suggesting that

machine translation systems might struggle with ambiguity, idiomatic expressions, and domain-

specific language, potentially resulting in errors and a lack of cultural sensitivity (Wang et al.,

2022).

Computer-Assisted Translation tools, for example, Trados and MemoQ software,

afforded functionalities such as translation memory and terminology management, supporting

consistency maintenance in the translations. However, learners found these tools difficult to learn

while noting that substantial manual input was required to achieve efficiency.

Terminology Databases: The availability of specialized glossaries and terminological

databases proved to be advantageous. However, students indicated that these resources

frequently exhibited obsolescence or insufficient breadth concerning newly emerging terms,

thereby constraining their usefulness.

Taken together, while translation tools provided some assistance, their limitations

required intensive human intervention to ensure accuracy and appropriateness in translations.

4.3 Need for Formal Education

The survey indicated an inconsistency in formal training levels among the participants:

Those who had received formal education in translation studies showed better knowledge of the

grammatical nuances and had more effective strategies for coping with complex translations.

They had greater expertise in using the tools and resources of translation to improve the quality

of work.

Those participants without formal training relied heavily on machine translation and often

showed no realization of the limitations of such tools. This reliance led to errors, particularly

when translating technical terms and complex grammatical structures.

The results have shown the importance of formal education in acquiring the necessary

competencies for accurate and effective translation, especially in specialized fields.

4.4 Implications of Linguistic Diversity

The linguistic background of participants, whether native Kazakh or Russian speakers,

determined the translation challenges that were encountered.

Language Pair Specific Challenges: Distinct grammatical obstacles were associated with

specific pairs of languages. For instance, the translation process between English and Kazakh

presented unique challenges stemming from variations in syntactic configurations and

morphological conventions.

Cross-Linguistic Interference: There were reports from respondents on instances where

grammatical rules in their first language interfered with translating to another language, resulting

in errors. This phenomenon was known as language transfer and caused a general deterioration

in quality.

The knowledge of these language-specific challenges will enable the development of

targeted training programs and resources to help translators overcome them.

4.5 Student Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles

Participants used different strategies to overcome the grammatical problems in translating

specialized terms:

Continuous Learning: Students demonstrated commitment to continuous learning,

including attending workshops and seeking guidance from the mentorship, in order to improve

translation skills. The intervention flags the value of a social and resource-rich academic

environment in facing grammatical challenges.

Trial and Error with Tools: Several students indicated that they test different translation

tools and tool settings to find the best approach for managing repetitive terminology when

working on specific tasks.

These methods focus on the ability of students to handle the complexities of translation

but also emphasize the importance of tailor-made materials and collaborative strategies.

5. Discussion

5.1 Implications of Findings

These findings reveal that learners' problems are associated with the grammar

encountered during the task of translating a particular term, more particularly in those fields

dealing with syntactic organization, morphological coherence, and use of idiomatic expressions.

This affects the capability of existing modern MT applications, which tend to handle context-

sensitive grammatical aspects and culturally modulated aspects with difficulties. The remarks

above also align with some recent literature, such as those in the review on challenges associated

with machine translation systems.

Without human oversight, there would be reliance on machine translation tools; this will

translate something that is grammatically correct but semantically incorrect. The potential for
 10

misunderstanding or miscommunication is augmented through such a course of events. In the

translation process itself, this is the aspect in which human intervention becomes imperative—

especially where specialized terminology requires profound knowledge of both languages'

grammatical structure and cultural nuances.

5.2 Recommendations for Practice

Solutions to these challenges are proffered through the following recommendations:

Better Training Programs: Design more comprehensive training programs focusing on the

grammatical aspects of translation. These programs should include contrastive analysis and

translation (CAT) training, which has been shown to be effective in improving grammatical

accuracy and reducing interference errors in learners' interlanguage writing.

The advanced technologies of translation, especially those making use of artificial

intelligence and natural language processing, should be integrated. The first type of tool has

shown a dramatic improvement in handling complex grammatical structures and idiomatic

expressions. However, it is important to be aware of their limitations and to view them as

complementing, not replacing, human judgment.

Continuous Professional Development: Allow translators the opportunity for continuing

professional development to keep them updated with new developments in translation studies

and new technologies. This might include training on using modern machine-translation tools

and methodologies in best practices.

Collaboration Between Human Translators and AI: Develop the overall strategy that

leverages the efficiency of artificial intelligence while, at the same time, recognizing the critical

contribution human translators make to the final product. While AI performs basic grammatical
 11

analysis with ease, human translators make connotation and logical structure identification

possible to overcome various shortcomings of AI.

These strategies may really bring about a marked improvement in the quality of

translations and thus serve cross-cultural communication and cooperation better.

6. Conclusion

The meaning of domain-specific terminology gives rise to complex grammatical issues

that are beyond the ability of existing translation software. The experiences of the students at

Maqsut Narikbayev University are evidence of the strong need in formal education in-depth and

the creation of advanced linguistic models for improving translation quality. It is necessary to

develop extensive training programs with a focus on grammatical peculiarities of both source

and target languages. These programs should involve contrastive analysis and practical exercises

in translation in order to train translators with skills capable of navigating through complex

syntactic and morphological structures.

The integration of advanced translation technologies, particularly those using artificial

intelligence and natural language processing, holds out promising possibilities for improvement.

However, it is important to be aware of their limitations and to use them as complementary tools,

not as substitutes for human capability. Human translators are indispensable in understanding the

subtleties of context and culture that automated systems might miss.

Continuing professional development is indispensable in this rapidly evolving field.

Translators need to keep updated with new technologies and emerging linguistic tendencies in

order to maintain the quality and relevance of their work. A culture of lifelong learning and

access to updated resources can significantly enhance translation practices.

The relation between human translators and artificial intelligence systems is synergistic;

it can increase efficiency while also increasing the accuracy of translation. By integrating the

respective advantages of each, it becomes possible to produce translations that are not only

grammatically sound but also culturally and contextually relevant.

In summary, the complications in grammar underlying specialized terminology

translation require a comprehensive approach, which includes formal academic practices,

application of technology, and ongoing professional development. Initiatives like this are crucial

to enhance the quality of translations and allow for effective cross-cultural communication and

collaboration.

References

Alsmadi, H. (2022). Challenges in Translating Scientific Texts: Problems and Reasons.

Journal of Translation Studies, 15(2), 45-60. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360319936

Kornacki, M. (2018). Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools in the Translator

Training Process. Translation and Interpreting Studies, 13(1), 89-105. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329102414

Najeeb, H. (2023). Difficulties and Challenges in Translating English Collocations into

Arabic: The Case of Undergraduate Students. International Journal of Linguistics, 10(3), 123-

135. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377364275

Khasawneh, Y. (2022). The Effectiveness of Digital Tools in Developing Translation

Skills. Journal of Educational Technology, 9(2), 78-92. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373800256
 13

Alisoy, H. (2023). Object Clauses and Difficulties in Their Translation. Linguistic

Research, 22(1), 34-50. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377387670

Mahdi, H. (2023). Does Translation Technology Affect Translators' Performance? A

Meta-Analysis. Translation and Technology Journal, 5(3), 201-220. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383643198

Felicia, A. (2015). Translation Challenges with Phrasal Verbs. Journal of Language and

Translation, 7(2), 56-70. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302589131

Appendices

Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

1. Demographic Information

What is your native language?

What is your age group?

2. Familiarity with Translation Challenges

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar are you with the challenges of translating

terminology between languages?

How often do you encounter grammatical differences when translating terminology?

What percentage of your translation work involves specialized terminology?

3. Impact of Grammar on Translation

Do grammatical differences significantly affect the meaning of translated

terminology?

How important is it to maintain grammatical accuracy in terminology translation?

What role do you think grammar plays in maintaining the accuracy of translated

terminology?
 14

4. Use of Translation Tools

How often do you use translation tools to handle grammatical challenges in

terminology?

How effective do you find translation tools in addressing grammatical issues in

terminology?

How often do you encounter limitations in machine translation tools when translating

terminology?

5. Training and Confidence

Have you received formal training in handling grammatical issues during terminology

translation?

How confident are you in resolving grammatical discrepancies in terminology

translation?

6. Specific Challenges and Examples

What are the most common grammatical challenges you face when translating

terminology?

Can you share an example of how a grammatical issue in terminology translation led to a

change in meaning?

How do you typically address grammatical differences when translating specialized

terminology?

7. Suggestions for Improvement

What improvements would you suggest for translation tools to better handle grammatical

aspects of terminology?
 15

Appendix B: Survey Answers