IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Jun 2008

Lost in Translation: Professional Communication Competencies in Global Training Contexts

James H. Melton

Abstract

Based on a case study of a global training team, this article focuses on an important ability for professional communicators: collaborating with translators. The study confirms the value of approaching translation as a collaborative recreation rather than mere information transfer and suggests the need to integrate translation with localization and to develop team rapport. Relevant abilities include understanding cultural and professional context, using bicultural vision, and building team relationships. Pursuit of these abilities should draw from translation studies and intercultural communication literature and be informed by diverse rhetorical traditions. Global educational and research partnerships are an ideal way to pursue these goals. Such collaboration can improve research methodology and challenge culturally based assumptions about translation-related communication roles and competencies.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2008-06-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2008.2000346
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Topics
rhetorical criticism collaborative writing professional writing qualitative research
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. Palumbo et al. (2024)
    The Evolutionary Convergence of Technical Communication and Translation: An Int…
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  2. Labrador et al. (2024)
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  3. López-Arroyo et al. (2024)
    Building Bridges Between Technical and Professional Communication and Translati…
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  4. Petts et al. (2024)
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  5. Räisänen (2020)
    The Use of Multimodal Resources by Technical Managers and Their Peers in Meetin…
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  1. Li et al. (2020)
    Cultural Differences Between Chinese and Western User Instructions: A Content A…
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  2. Batova (2018)
    Global Technical Communication in 7.5 Weeks Online: Combining Industry and Acad…
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  3. Batova (2018)
    Negotiating Multilingual Quality in Component Content-Management Environments
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  4. Brewer et al. (2012)
    Introduction to the special section: Navigating the boundaries in global traini…
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  5. Zemliansky et al. (2011)
    New Landscapes in Professional Communication: The Practice and Theory of Our Fi…
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  6. Gnecchi et al. (2011)
    Field Convergence between Technical Writers and Technical Translators: Conseque…
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Cites in this index (8)

  1. Thatcher (2006)
    Intercultural Rhetoric, Technology Transfer, and Writing in U.S.–Mexico Border …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Flammia (2005)
    Preparing Technical Communication Students to Play a Role on the Translation Team
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Amant (2003)
    Designing effective writing-for-translation intranet sites
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Thatcher (2001)
    Issues of Validity in Intercultural Professional Communication Research
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Lentz et al. (2000)
    Babel in document design: the evaluation of multilingual texts
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. Amant (2000)
    Expanding translation use to improve the quality of technical communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. MAYLATH (1997)
    Writing Globally
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. WEISS (1997)
    Reading Culture
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 13 works outside this index ↓
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CrossRef global citation count: 27 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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