Translation Competence: Beyond Bilingualism

Megaptche Megaptche Yvan Rudhel; Xu Wen

doi:10.54392/ijll2144

Authors

Megaptche Megaptche Yvan Rudhel College of International Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing China. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1131-8017
Xu Wen College of International Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing China. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54392/ijll2144

Keywords:

Translation, Translation competence, Bilingual, Bilingualism

Abstract

According to some scholars of Translation Studies, bilinguals are in possession of innate translation competence. In the present research, aspects of bilingualism and translation competencies are investigated. The questions driving the research are: is being bilingual enough to be a translator? And what are the competencies a translator needs to perform a good translation? This article addresses these questions through a comprehensive literature review and a small-scale empirical study. First, the relevant literature on bilingualism and translation competence was reviewed. Second, an empirical investigation was carried out in which bilinguals and professional translators translated a source text to generate empirical data on using two languages and relevant translation competencies. The results have shown that being a translator is more than being bilingual, and going to a translation school is not a guarantee to be a good translator. The subject matter knowledge also matters. The research yields insights into the description and development of translation competence and provides potential avenues for translators’ self-improvement.

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