Problems and techniques in teaching the translation of idioms that make little or no sense literally are examined, using as an example the translation of a French idiom into German. Use of bilingual dictionaries and other related activities to deepen and enrich understanding of the language are stressed. (MSE)

Describes Grammateion, a hypertext system developed to simplify the use of ancient language symbols in scholarly work by providing basic grammatical and lexical information about Greek. A sidebar discussing the benefits of such technologies to the humanities argues that they allow teachers more time to interact with students and students to work…

Methods for teaching foreign-language literature actually teach students how to approach, understand, and develop their own method of literary criticism through scholarship, interpretation, and theory. (21 references) (CB)

An interview with Melinda Greenblatt, former director of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF's Information Center on Children's Cultures, presents an overview of children's book production in developing nations and the availability of children's books from these countries in developed nations. (NH)

Chronicles the history of federal laws governing use of court interpreters, focusing on the Court Interpreters Act of 1978. The Spanish/English Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination is discussed, and problems in state court interpreter selection, policy formation, and improvement of interpreting quality are presented. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the development of phraseological machine translation based on the theory that in natural languages, phraseological units cannot always be reduced to words. Describes the phraseological translation process of computer software and machine dictionary systems that translate Russian into English and English into Russian. (JMV)

Makes a case for using transliteration in order to avoid wholesale translation of new words from the natural sciences and technology into Indian languages. Proposes introduction of the Roman alphabet (in a modified form), so that the Indian languages can accommodate new loans within their own phonetic systems without any substantial changes. (SR)

Various approaches to translation are noted, and a case is made for reconsidering the benefits of using and teaching translation in foreign language programs to meet society needs. Practical advantages are cited, including benefits to students and the broadened curriculum, and possible topics to include are listed. (15 references) LB)

Details the setting up of a battery of psychometric tests for selecting student interpreters for the Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpreting in Taiwan. Argues that the rigid screening (which leads to a nearly 100 percent pass rate) compares favorably with the high drop-out rate in traditional schools of interpreting. (NKA)

Notes the increasing use of computers by professional translators. Argues that instruction in translation systems should prepare students for both the receiving and production ends of machine translation systems. Discusses considerations for the design of computer translation studies. Includes a course outline from a computer translation seminar.…

Trends in mechanical translation are reviewed briefly, and difficulties in selecting appropriate equivalencies are cited. Decisions dependent upon real world knowledge rather than dictionary equivalents and grammar are illustrated. (15 references) (LB)

Evaluates the use of oral translation as a second-language teaching activity. Shows that, with a proper regard for the principles of translation theory, translation can play a valuable role in second-language teaching and that translation should be an integral part of the language learning program. (HB)

A discussion of translation and second-language instruction looks at the difference between translation used as a tool for teaching a second language and professional translation. It is argued that an interpretive theory of translation necessarily underlies its teaching. (MSE)

Two studies compared the effects of imagery-based instruction and rote learning on the long-term recall of English translations of Chinese ideographs. In no instance was there any indication that imagery-based mnemonics conferred an advantage beyond the immediate test of recall. (27 references) (Author/LB)

Researchers planning to use a Spanish translation of the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist with a primarily Puerto Rican population found that it had been designed for Cuban speakers of the language and, therefore, decided to develop a new translation. Suggests the need to be sensitive to the differences in vocabulary among Hispanic subcultures.…