Professional translators’ and interpreters’ views on information competence: An exploratory qualitative study from the Spanish context

Abstract

Information competence is essential in professional translation and interpreting. This paper gathers the views of professional translators and interpreters in Spain on information competence, by means of an exploratory qualitative study. A questionnaire composed essentially of open-ended questions was applied to gather data and the qualitative analysis software ATLAS.ti was used to code the results using thematic content analysis methods. The views provided by a sample of professional translators and interpreters (n = 156) on the importance of information competence were collected, together with their recommendations on this key competence for those who are starting their training in translation and interpreting. The study also explores the main information needs highlighted by professionals, the sources of information they use most frequently and how they verify information, and their opinions on the gender perspective (with explicit mention of inclusive language) as part of information competence in professional practice. The results show that professionals consider information competence to be absolutely essential in the framework of translation competence, and recommend reinforcing information literacy training in university undergraduate degree programmes. They have multiple information needs (from terminological to contextual) that make them turn to a wide range of information resources (mainly personal sources and online documentary resources), but they need to strengthen their knowledge for information evaluation. Regarding the gender perspective, professionals practically limit their answers to their opinions on inclusive language and, although most of them are in favour, some resistance is detected. From the diagnosis carried out in this research, opportunities for supporting information literacy instruction in undergraduate degrees and in continuing professional development are identified.