Study On English Majors’ Translation Competence Based On The PACTE Model

Along with the deeper and more extensive exchanges between China and the rest of the world, translation is becoming an indispensable tool. In China, English majors at colleges and universities are the main resource of translators. Hence, it is significant to know English majors’ translation competence in order to improve their translation competence. With this background, this thesis tries to investigate the translation competence of junior English majors at Chongqing University for the purpose of making suggestions to improve it.Based on PACTE translation competence model, this thesis will analyze translation texts and questionnaire both qualitatively and quantitatively from the view of 5 sub-competences. Through empirical study, the thesis finds out the situation of the students’ translation competence: 1) their bilingual sub-competence is poor, especially translation in certain context; 2) students lack the extra-linguistic sub-competence, especially the subject knowledge; 3) the strategic competence is in short supply; 4) students have the competence to use instruments, but the type of them is not rich; 5) students’ knowledge of translation competence is weak.According to the study result, this thesis will make suggestions both to translation teachers and students on how to improve translation competence. For translation teachers, they should focus on developing students’ instrumental, knowledge about translation and strategic sub-competences. However, translation teachers should spend little time teaching bilingual sub-competence because English majors have been learning and developing it since they began to learn English. Furthermore, students should be the focus instead of the teacher in translation class. For students, they should develop their bilingual sub-competence from other courses and self-study. They should not only learn translation theories, methods and skills, but also widen their horizon of knowledge and learn extra-linguistic knowledge. All these will be a great help for translation. What’s more, students should utilize more spare time to practice translation and develop a habit of translation.