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Machine translation in language learning and teaching
Machine translation in language learning and teaching

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Session 3, Activity 6 (German)

Activity 6 German – recognising pitfalls in machine translation

Timing: Allow approximately one hour.

This activity can help to enhance your critical awareness that is essential when using OMT. You will identify common translation errors and inaccuracies and analyse the context and meaning of literal translations that OMT might produce.

Using OMT can also develop better translation and editing skills by helping you to recognise and correct mistakes.

Now work though the following steps.

Step 1

Read the short German text below.

Das Internet

Es ist heutzutage das Einfallstor für englische Begriffe: das Internet. Gleichzeitig wird hier auch eingedeutscht, was das Zeug hält. Wir chatten darüber, was wir gerade gedownloaded haben. Und wenn wir auch nicht regelmäßig skypen, gemailt haben wir alle schon einmal.

Step 2

Input the text into OMT for an English translation. Does the translation make sense?

Looking back at the German text from Step 1, what exactly does not make sense? What aspects of the German text has OMT not translated effectively?

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Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Step 3

Rewrite the German text in a way so that the English translation would make (more) sense.

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Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Step 4

When you are happy with your German rewrite, input the edited German version into OMT and check the translation. Does it make more sense?

Step 5

What did you have to change in the German text so that the English translation accurately reflected the original?

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Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

You need to change the anglicised words in the German text to something that more authentically expresses the use of English.

Learning to recognise pitfalls in OMT serves several purposes:

  • It enhances the learners’ ability to spot and correct translation errors.
  • It develops a better grasp of language nuances and complexities.
  • It fosters critical analysis of translations and their contexts.
  • It highlights cultural differences that may impact translation.
  • It strengthens overall language proficiency by identifying and understanding common mistakes.

Return to Session 3 [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .