Enhancing the Quality of Translation in Poland: Focus on Creative Writing as a Tool in Translation Studies Instruction
Enhancing the Quality of Translation in Poland: Focus on Creative Writing as a Tool in Translation Studies Instruction

Summary/Abstract: This study presents action research in which a course on creative writing was incorporated into the curriculum of a Translation Studies department to enhance the quality of translation into a foreign language. This research addresses the problem of Translation Studies students who produce translations containing “third language” or “translationese,” assumed to be the result of the interference of the source language on the target language. Participants were 24 full-time second-year university students in Poland. A one-semester creative writing course was designed to expand the knowledge of literary genres existing in the target language’s culture and to practice the execution of the written target language at an advanced level, thereby minimizing the impact of L1 interference and improving the quality of L2 writing. This research focused on: 1) writing directly into English, 2) building a practical understanding of English syntax, 3) expanding the range of lexical choices, and 4) enriching cultural insight of a foreign language through the presentation of nine genres. Research results demonstrated improved awareness regarding choices participants made when writing in English. While participants could incorporate presented material into their writing, they were still prone to errors.

• Details
• Contents