Translating in fits and starts: pause thresholds and roles in the research of translation processes

Abstract

Two pause thresholds were tested, aimed at chunking the translation task workflow into task segments and classifying pauses into different kinds. Pauses below 200 ms were dubbed delays and excluded. An upper threshold at 3 × median pause between words was hypothesized (H1) to capture more translation problems than 3 s pauses, but also to flag other cognitive processes. The upper threshold and a lower threshold at 2 × median pause within words were used to classify pauses into short pauses (between 200 ms and the lower threshold), mid pauses (between thresholds) and long pauses (above the upper threshold). Such mid pauses were hypothesized (H2) to mainly hint at different cognitive phenomena. Short pauses were assumed to hint at mechanical and strategic behaviors related to keyboarding, although this is not tested here. Finally, empty task segments (no new text or changes in existing copy) were hypothesized (H3) to be strategically distributed for planning and prospective reading. Results confirmed hypotheses 1 and 2 and partially supported hypothesis 3. Some unexpected findings point to the need of further research into the nature of task segments, understood as chunks of the action, rather than text excerpts.