Measuring cognitive effort in translation process research often involves the use of texts that challenge the translator in various ways. When selecting or crafting a text for this purpose, consider the following types or features:
Ambiguity & Polysemy: Texts that contain words or phrases with multiple meanings can be used to study how translators resolve ambiguity.
Idiomatic Expressions: Idioms often don’t have direct equivalents in other languages, requiring the translator to find creative solutions.
Cultural References: Texts with cultural or local references unfamiliar to the translator can be used to measure the effort it takes to research or understand those references.
Complex Syntax: Long sentences with intricate syntactical structures or unusual grammatical constructions can increase cognitive load.
Technical or Specialized Texts: Articles or texts from specialized domains (e.g., legal, medical, scientific) can be challenging because of their technical vocabulary and concepts.
Contrasting Text Types: Providing a mixture of text types, from narrative to expository, can measure adaptability and cognitive strain across different styles.
Subtle Emotional Nuances: Texts that contain delicate emotional tones or implied sentiments might demand more cognitive effort to ensure that the translation conveys the same feeling.
Metaphorical Language: Texts that use metaphors, allegories, or symbolic language can be particularly challenging as these often don't translate directly.
Time-constrained Texts: Providing a text with a tight deadline can measure how cognitive effort changes under time pressure.
Texts with Inherent Ambiguities: For instance, poetry or philosophical texts which are open to interpretation can be used to see how translators deal with inherently vague content.
Error-laden Texts: Introducing deliberate mistakes or inconsistencies in the source text can measure the cognitive effort required to detect and correct these errors.
Interactive Texts: Texts that require the translator to interact with software, hyperlinks, or multimedia elements can present unique challenges.
Once you've chosen a text, consider accompanying the translation task with additional measures to gauge cognitive effort, such as:
- Eye-tracking: Monitor where and how long translators look at certain parts of the text.
- Keylogging: Track typing rhythms, pauses, and corrections as the translator works.
- Think-aloud Protocols: Have translators vocalize their thought processes while translating.
- Post-task Interviews: Gather subjective data on which parts of the text were particularly challenging and why.
Remember, the ideal text for measuring cognitive effort will largely depend on the specific research question or hypothesis you're aiming to address.