Translation Error Analysis and The Correlation of Translating Ability between Thai and English of Thai College Students By Dr. Dissaya Supharatyothin

Dr. Dissaya Supharatyothin Educational Background 1981B.Ed(English)Srinakarintharawirot University, Phitsanuloke, Thailand 1989MA (South East Asian Linguistics) Mahidol University, Thailand 1991MA(Linguistics)University of Delaware, USA 2002PhD(Rhetoric & Linguistics)Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA Work Experiences PresentLecturerPibulsongkran Rajabhat University PresentInvited LecturerNaresuan University, Phitsanuloke LecturerRambhaibarni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi Burapha University, Chanthaburi Position 2008Head of English Department 2009 – PresentDeputy Dean on Academic Affairs of Faculty of Humanities and Social Science

Purpose  To analyze the errors in translating English into Thai  To analyze the errors in translating Thai into English by type and the frequency of the errors  To study the correlation of translating abilities between English into Thai, and Thai into English.

Reason for selecting this topic  New knowledge technology from various sources.  Translating documents into different languages.  Problems in using English structure and selecting appropriate words in translation.

Methodology  This is a quantitative study.  Data are 50 students’ final examinations in the translation course.  Statistically analyzed by mean, standard deviation, and t-test.

Framework Types of errors in translating English into Thai Dummy Subject Passive voice Relative clause Head noun + modifier

Types of errors in translating Thai into English Subject –verb agreement Serial verbs Ellipsis Topic comment Passive voice Relative clause Tense Framework

Procedures  Evaluate the reliability of examinations for IOC.  Investigated the score for inter reliability.  Recorded all the errors in the tables to be classified types and frequency of errors.

Procedures  Analyzed types and frequency of errors in translating.  Calculate the percentage of error.  Calculated the score of translating English and Thai to find the correlation coefficient.

Findings Table 1: Scores Given by the Instructor and the Researcher

Findings Table 2:Type and Frequency of Errors in Translating English into Thai Table 2:Type and Frequency of Errors in Translating English into Thai

Findings Table 3: Type and Frequency of Errors in Translating Thai into English

Findings Table 4: Pearson Correlation Coefficient

Discussion A lack of knowledge of sentence structures, for example: He was defeated in a hotly-contested election. เขาพ่ายแพ้ในการเลือกตั้งที่ แข่งขันกันอย่างดุเดือด Incorrectly translated as: เขาเอาชนะคู่แข่งในการเลือกตั้ง ได้ He wins the competitors in elections. He wins the competitors in elections.

Discussion A problem in using vocabulary and idioms. He died broken-hearted เขาตรอมใจตาย. Incorrectly translated as: เขาตายเพราะโรคหัวใจไม่สมบูรณ์ เขาตายเพราะโรคหัวใจไม่สมบูรณ์ He died because of heart sickness

Discussion Native language influenced in learning a second language. This finding supported Lott (1983:256) who mentioned that the mistake in using a second language might relate to the mother tongue This finding supported Lott (1983:256) who mentioned that the mistake in using a second language might relate to the mother tongue

Discussion EFL learners with lower English proficiency translate from L1 to L2 because of their lack of L2 pragmatic knowledge”(Wannaruk, 2008)

Contributions and Implications  Framework as a guideline in planning their instruction  Findings as a springboard for comparative study in other languages

Recommendations for Future Study The study of translation in discourse level

Thank You