TITLE:
Evaluating BE Translation Textbooks in China: A Need Analysis of University ESP Learners and the Industry
AUTHORS:
Yufei Jiang, Ying Lu
KEYWORDS:
Business Translation, Need Analysis, Translation Coursebooks, Textbook Evaluation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: This paper aims to find out whether current business English (BE) translation textbooks in China can meet the demand of the industry and the need of the learners under the guidance of Hutchinson and Waters’ need analysis model for ESP (English for Specific Purposes). Through analyzing coursebook content and conducting a questionnaire survey among 96 university English major students and 61 industrial employees, the research gives an evaluation of current mainstream textbooks in China. The results show that the current textbooks can generally meet the essential needs of the learners. Covering a variety of genres, the textbooks can cultivate learners’ translation skills as well as business competences. The translation materials often include typical examples from the industry and classic texts. Most translation theories are also systematically presented. However, there are still some areas to be improved. In terms of text types, foreign trade and logistics documents, tender & bid documents, annual reports, business meeting reports, business cards, industry news, research reports are still lacking. In terms of scaffolding for learners, some textbooks lack the lists of business vocabulary. In terms of translation examples and exercises, more real-world challenges can be included. In terms of digital resources, the current teaching materials can do more to provide timely updating, and the forms are expected to be richer. In view of these, the paper puts forward some suggestions, in the hope that they can provide some new insights for the development of business translation teaching materials in China.