IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2026

Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Study of Students’ and LSPs’ Perceptions of Translation Internships

Shuang Liu Xi'an International Studies University

Abstract

<bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Background:</i></b> Both technical professional communication (TPC) and translation training call for a closer academia-industry link to cultivate students’ professional competence and enhance employability. Among the collaborative efforts, the internship serves as a key part in bridging the gap and enhancing students’ work-readiness. Their effectiveness, however, depends on the alignment of expectations among the internship stakeholders. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Literature review:</i></b> While prior studies have examined translation internships, they typically center around either students or language service providers (LSP) in isolation. A significant gap exists in quantitatively comparing the perceptions of these two key stakeholder groups. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Research questions:</i></b> How do students and LSPs differ in their perceptions of internships? What factors contribute to the misalignment in stakeholders’ perceptions from the perspective of university educators and administrators? <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Methods:</i></b> This study employed a mixed-methods approach. A survey was administered to translation students and LSP representatives to identify their perception differences across four key dimensions of internships, followed by interviews with university educators and administrators to explore the causes. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Results:</i></b> Quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant discrepancies in 18 of the 44 items. The subsequent qualitative interviews identified four primary factors contributing to these discrepancies: inadequate internship management, curriculum misalignment due to the lack of qualified faculty, emphasis on hard skills over soft skills in evaluation, and pragmatic concerns from both students and employers. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Implication:</i></b> The findings provided recommendations for students, employers, and institutions to improve the effectiveness of internships, which are relevant not only for translation but also for other practice-oriented disciplines like TPC.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2026-03-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2026.3658891
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
collaborative writing assessment professional writing empirical research
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (16)

  1. Palumbo et al. (2024)
    The Evolutionary Convergence of Technical Communication and Translation: An Int…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Cao et al. (2024)
    University–Industry Collaboration in Managing Translation Projects: Perceptions…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Pihlaja et al. (2024)
    Translation and Localization in Global Technical Communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Grant (2022)
    Collaborative Tactics for Equitable Community Partnerships Toward Social Justic…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Matheson et al. (2020)
    Engaging US Students in Culturally Aware Content Creation and Interactive Techn…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 16 →
  1. Ding (2019)
    Development of Technical Communication in China: Program Building and Field Con…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Kramer-Simpson (2018)
    Feedback From Internship Mentors in Technical Communication Internships
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Kramer-Simpson et al. (2015)
    Learning Beyond the Classroom and Textbook: Client Projects’ Role in Helping St…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Bourelle (2014)
    New Perspectives on the Technical Communication Internship: Professionalism in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Savage et al. (2010)
    Technical Communication Internship Requirements in the Academic Economy: How We…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Taylor (2006)
    Assessment in Client-Based Technical Writing Classes: Evolution of Teacher and …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Whiteside (2003)
    The Skills That Technical Communicators Need: An Investigation of Technical Com…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  8. Amant (2003)
    Expanding Internships to Enhance Academic-Industry Relations: A Perspective in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. Tovey (2001)
    Building Connections between Industry and University: Implementing an Internshi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  10. Blakeslee (2001)
    Bridging the Workplace and the Academy: Teaching Professional Genres through Cl…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  11. WEISS (1997)
    Reading Culture
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 48 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.7202/045689ar
     ↗
  2. 10.1515/9783110260274.111
     ↗
  3. 10.1075/btl.50.15ris
     ↗
  4. 10.1515/les-2017-0025
     ↗
  5. 10.1007/1-4020-4653-7
     ↗
  6. 10.4324/9781315760391
     ↗
  7. Li (2007)
    Translation curriculum and pedagogy: Views of administrators of translation services
    Target: Int. J. Transl. Studies  ↗
  8. 10.7202/009804ar
     ↗
  9. 10.1080/1750399x.2021.1891516
     ↗
  10. 10.1080/0907676x.2022.2055482
     ↗
  11. 10.3794/johlste.71.161
     ↗
  12. 10.1108/cdi-03-2013-0025
     ↗
  13. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120861
     ↗
  14. 10.1016/j.respol.2008.07.007
     ↗
  15. 10.1080/00221546.2013.11777279
     ↗
  16. 10.3152/030234207x206902
     ↗
  17. 10.1016/j.respol.2010.03.006
     ↗
  18. 10.1080/1360080x.2018.1538546
     ↗
  19. 10.4324/9780429453670-7
     ↗
  20. 10.1080/1750399x.2017.1344920
     ↗
  21. 10.1080/1750399x.2017.1350900
     ↗
  22. 10.1080/1750399x.2021.2017706
     ↗
  23. 10.12807/ti.112201.2020.a07
     ↗
  24. 10.1075/babel.58.3.03tao
     ↗
  25. 10.1016/j.jhlste.2016.07.001
     ↗
  26. 10.1177/1080569909336450
     ↗
  27. 10.1080/1750399x.2017.1344813
     ↗
  28. 10.1108/09600030210421732
     ↗
  29. 10.1080/03075070802706561
     ↗
  30. 10.7764/onomazein.40.10
     ↗
  31. 10.1080/1750399x.2020.1846929
     ↗
  32. 10.5465/amle.2010.48661191
     ↗
  33. 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
     ↗
  34. Alvstad (2011)
    Results of the validation of the PACTE translation competence model
     ↗
  35. 10.1080/1750399x.2017.1344812
     ↗
  36. 10.1016/j.jhlste.2025.100552
     ↗
  37. 10.1075/btl
     ↗
  38. 10.7202/1008340ar
     ↗
  39. 10.1080/1750399x.2019.1656407
     ↗
  40. 10.32996/ijllt.2021.4.3.29
     ↗
  41. 10.1080/1750399x.2021.1900711
     ↗
  42. 10.4018/ijitlhe.2020040102
     ↗
  43. Mirel (2002)
    Introduction
     ↗
  44. 10.1177/0950422218819638
     ↗
  45. 10.1080/03043797.2011.644762
     ↗
  46. 10.18488/journal.61.2019.74.404.417
     ↗
  47. 10.1109/mipro.2015.7160381
     ↗
  48. 10.1080/02602938.2011.557715
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 0 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Dec 2025
    Design Thinking in Business and Professional Communication Pedagogy: A Review of Pedagogical Studies, 2014–2024 ↗
    Jason Tham
    writing pedagogy collaborative writing assessment professional writing book reviews
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2025
    Professionalizing Researchers: Mapping and Visualizing Doctoral Engineering Student Identity Development Through User-Experience (UX) Methods ↗
    Jason Tham; Diego A. Polanco-Lahoz; Madison Hanson; Jennifer Cross; Mario Beruvides
    curriculum design graduate education collaborative writing assessment empirical research qualitative research
  3. Argumentation Aug 2025
    Informal Formative Assessment in Argumentation-Based Science Education: A Micro-Analytic Investigation of Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices ↗
    Metin Sardag; Gultekin Cakmakci
    discourse analysis writing pedagogy argument assessment professional writing empirical research qualitative research
  4. Res Rhetorica Mar 2025
    Persuasiveness of inclusive language in organizational communication ↗
    Jacek Wasilewski; Agata Kostrzewa
    collaborative writing assessment professional writing digital rhetoric book reviews
  5. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Dec 2024
    The Packaging and Labeling of Cannabis Edibles: Opportunities for Professional Communication Researchers ↗
    Michael J. Madson
    modern rhetorical theory assessment professional writing empirical research