The Integration of the Transversal Theme in the Teaching of Documentation for Translators

Abstract

This study is based on the teaching of documentation practice for translators. The concept of cross curricular theme has been considered here in its meaning as a subject field being the support for documentation competence in the translation student, and not  in its popular conception, i.e., as cross curricular issues related to social problems present on the curriculum subjects (Muñoz de LaCalle, 1997). Documentation competence is essential for translation work; it can be defined as the adequate management of organization, processing and information retrieval techniques (Pinto 1999). Since the translator should know the objectives, functions, text adaptation, terminological adequacy, and customers' needs, information literacy becomes critical.  Thus, the cross curricular theme plays an important role in the teaching of documentation. This study describes the didactic experience of the Documentation & Terminology subject offered to Modern Languages students at the University of Los Andes (Venezuela). New objectives and contents are proposed for course replication in other similar courses.