Translator Praxis: An Investigation into the Practical Component in BA Translation Programs at Yemeni Universities

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the concept of translation praxis by assessing practical components of BA Translation Programs at Yemeni Universities and exploring the perspectives of instructors, senior students and alumni. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to collect and analyze relevant data from 61 instructors and 111 students at public and private universities and alumni through questionnaires and a checklist for analyzing BA Program Specification Documents (PSDs). The study instruments were developed and checked for psychometric features. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted to answer the study questions. The results revealed that the practical components total degree of availability in Translation PSDs was Moderate (m=2.01) in favor of public universities. Students' satisfaction overall degree fell within Satisfied (m=3.72). The t-test analysis of alumni and students' responses showed a statistically significant difference P-value=(.041) in favor of alumni. Furthermore, instructors’ assessment of the effectiveness of the practical components was placed in the Agree rank (m=3.67). Moreover, ANOVA and Scheffé tests indicated statistically significant differences at the significance level (<0.05) between instructors’ responses, attributed to the academic degree in favor of PhD holders compared to MA and BA and in favor of MA compered to BA. Based on the study findings, it is imperative to activate the concept of translation praxis which combines theory with practice, by employing differentiated instruction so as to better prepare students the translation industry.