Use(s) of authentic translation in an integrated plurilingual approach to language learning: A rationale for best practices

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26881/bp.2025.1.01

Keywords:

integrated plurilingual approach, natural plurilingual practices, plurilingualism, translation

Abstract

Since the advent of the widespread Communicative Approach, especially since the 1980s, translation has either been banned from language learning or has been used following the Grammar-Translation Method, which bears no relation to everyday real-life practices or the professional performances of translators and interpreters. Here, a rationale for the use of translation, understood as a natural plurilingual practice (NPP) embedded in an integrated plurilingual approach (IPA), will be put forward as well as ways to close the gap between the practices of professional translators and those of language learners. This research-based proposal draws from Translation Studies and the literature in Education and in Additional Language Learning (ALL) to explore best practices that revolve around the use of translation for other learning contexts (TOLC). These learning contexts do not necessarily involve a high degree of professional expertise but provide the students with a solid declarative and procedural level that develops their plurilingual competence.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Arnold, Jane (1999). (ed.). Affect in Language Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Canagarajah, Suresh (2011). “Codemeshing in academic writing: Identifying teachable strategies of translanguaging”. The Modern Language Journal 95/3: 401–417.

Canagarajah, Suresh (2023). “Decolonizing as pedagogy: A praxis of ‘becoming’ in ELT”. ELT Journal 77/3: 283–292.

Carreras, Ángeles, Maria Noriega-Sánchez, Carmen Calduch (2018). Mundos en palabras: Learning Advanced Spanish through Translation. London – New York: Routledge.

Catalan Department of Education (2018). The Language Model of the Catalan Education System. Language Learning and Use in a Multilingual and Multicultural Educational Environment. Generalitat of Catalonia: Ministry of Education.

Cook, Guy (2010). Translation in Language Teaching: An Argument for Reassessment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cook, Vivien (2007). “Multi-competence: Black hole or wormhole for SLA research?”. In ZhaoHong Han (ed.): Understanding Second Language Process. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 16–26.

Cook, Vivien (2016). “Transfer and the relationship between the languages of multi- competence”. In: Rosa Alonso Alonso (ed.) Crosslinguistic Influence in Second Language Acquisition. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 24–37.

Corcoll, Cristina (2019). “Plurilingualism and using languages to learn languages: a sequential approach to deal effectively with language diversity”. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching 15/1: 1– 10.

Corcoll, Cristina, Maria González-Davies (2015). “Switching codes in the additional language classroom”. ELT Journal 70/1: 67-77.

Council of Europe (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Cambridge: University Press.

Council of Europe (2021 [2018]). Common European Framework for Languages: Companion Volume with New Descriptors. Council of Europe.

Cummins, Jim (1984). “‘Wanted’: A theoretical framework for relating language proficiency to academic achievement among bilingual students”. In: Charlene Rivera (ed.). Language Proficiency and Academic Achievement. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2–20.

Cummins, Jim (2008). “Teaching for transfer: Challenging the two solitudes assumption in bilingual education”. In: Jim Cummins, Nancy Hornberger (eds.). Encyclopedia of Language and Education: Bilingual Education. Second edition. New York: Springer, 65–77.

Cummins, Jim, Margaret Early (2014). Big Ideas for Expanding Minds. Ontario: Pearson Education Canada.

Duff, Alan (1991). Translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Engeström,

Yrjö (2011). “From design experiments to formative interventions”. Theory and Psychology 21/5: 598–628.

Esteve, Olga, Maria González-Davies (2018 [2016]): “Estrategias de transferencia interlingüística en el aprendizaje de lenguas adicionales: un Enfoque Plurilingüe Integrador (EPI)”. In: Mónica Pereña (ed.) Enseñar y aprender lenguas en un modelo educativo plurilingüe. Barcelona: Horsori.

Esteve, Olga (2020). “Teacher agency in plurilingual contexts”. In: Sara Laviosa, Maria González-Davies (eds). The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Education. London – New York: Routledge.

Fonseca, Carmen, Maria González-Davies (2022). “CEFR mediation strategies: towards a socio-emotionally enhanced plurilingual language education”. In: Brian North, Enrica Piccardo, Tim Goodier, Daniela Fasoglio, Rosanna Margonis-Pasinetti, Bernd Rüschof (eds.). Enriching 21st century language education: The CEFR Companion Volume, examples from practice. Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing, 69–82.

García, Ofelia (2009). Bilingual Education in the 21st Century. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

González-Davies, Maria (2004). Multiple Voices in the Translation Classroom. Activities, Tasks and Projects. Amsterdam – Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

González-Davies, Maria (2014). “Towards a plurilingual development paradigm. From spontaneous to informed use of translation in additional language learning”. In: Sara Laviosa (ed.), Translation in the Language Classroom: Theory, Research and Practice, Special Issue of The Interpreter and Translator Trainer 8/1: 8–32.

González-Davies, Maria (2018). “The use of translation in an integrated plurilingual approach to language learning: Teacher strategies and good practices”. Journal of Spanish Language Teaching 4/2: 124–135.

González-Davies, Maria (2020). “Developing mediation competence through translation”. In: Sara Laviosa, Maria González-Davies, (eds.). The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Education. London – New York: Routledge.

González-Davies, Maria, Vanessa Enríquez Raído (eds.) (2017). Situated Learning in Translator and Interpreter Training: Bridging Research and Good Practice. London – New York: Routledge.

González-Davies, Maria, David Soler-Ortínez (2021). “Use of translation and plurilingual practices in language learning. A formative intervention model”. Translation and Translanguaging in Multilingual Contexts 7/1, 17–40.

Hamman, Laura (2018). “Translanguaging and positioning in two-way dual language classrooms”. Language and Education 32/1: 21–42.

Hatim, Basil, Ian Mason (1990). Discourse and the Translator. London – New York: Routledge. Kerr, Philip (2014). Translation and Own-language Activities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lantolf, James P., Olga Esteve (2019). “Concept-based instruction for concept-based instruction: A model for language teacher education”. In: Masatoshi Sato, Shawn Loewen (eds.). Evidence-Based Second Language Pedagogy: A Collection of Instructed Second Language Acquisition Studies. New York: Routledge, 27–51.

May, Stephen (2014). “Introducing the ‘multilingual turn’”. In: Stephan May (ed.). The Multilingual Turn: Implications for DLA, TESOL and Bilingual Education. London: Routledge.

Muñoz-Basols, Javier, Craig Neville, Barbara A. Lafford, Concepción Godev (2023). “Potentialities of applied translation for language learning in the era of artificial intelligence”. Hispania 106/2: 171– 194.

North, Brian, Enrica Piccardo, Tim Goodier, Daniela Fasoglio, Rosanna Margonis-Pasinetti, Bernd Rüschof (eds.) (2022). Enriching 21st Century Language Education: The CEFR Companion Volume, Examples From Practice. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.

Oxford, Rebecca (2011). Teaching and Researching Language Learning Strategies. Edinburgh: Pearson Education.

Richards, Jack C., Theodore Rodgers (2014). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Robson, Colin, Kieran McCartan (2017). Real World Research: A Resource for Users of Social Research Methods in Applied Settings. Fourth edition. Chichester: Wiley.

Vygotsky, Leo (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Mental Processes. Edited and Translated by Michael Cole, Vera JohnSteiner, Sylvia Scribner, Ellen Souberman. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Wilson, Jaclyn, Maria González-Davies (2017). “Tackling the plurilingual student/monolingual classroom phenomenon through translation”. TESOL Quarterly 51/1: 207–219.

Downloads

Published

2025-02-17

How to Cite

González-Davies, M. (2025). Use(s) of authentic translation in an integrated plurilingual approach to language learning: A rationale for best practices. Beyond Philology An International Journal of Linguistics, Literary Studies and English Language Teaching, (22/1), 9–36. https://doi.org/10.26881/bp.2025.1.01

Issue

Section

Articles