Corpora in Translation Studies

Author: Baker Mona  

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company

E-ISSN: 1569-9986|7|2|223-243

ISSN: 0924-1884

Source: Target. International Journal of Translation Studies, Vol.7, Iss.2, 1995-01, pp. : 223-243

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Abstract

Abstract: Corpus-based research has become widely accepted as a factor in improving the performance of machine translation systems, and corpus-based terminology compilation is now the norm rather than the exception. Within translation studies proper, Lindquist (1984) has advocated the use of corpora for training translators, and Baker (1993a) has argued that theoretical research into the nature of translation will receive a powerful impetus from corpus-based studies. It is becoming increasingly important to take stock of what is happening on this front and to start working towards the development of an explicit and coherent methodology for corpus-based research in the discipline. This paper discusses the current and potential use of corpora in translation studies, with particular reference to theoretical issues. Résumé: On s'accorde à voir dans la recherche sur corpus un facteur susceptible d'améliorer les systèmes de traduction automatique; la terminologie basée sur corpus devient la règle plutôt que l'exception. A propos des recherches sur la traduction, Lidquist (1984) a prôné le recours aux corpora dans la formation des traducteurs; selon Baker (1993a), l'étude théorique de la traduction bénéficiera des recherches fondées sur corpus. Il importe désormais de répertorier les acquis en ce domaine, afin de mettre au point une méthodologie explicite et cohérente. L'article qui suit analyse l'usage présent et possible des corpora dans les recherches sur la traduction, et prêtant une attention particulière aux questions théoriques.