TRANSLATION AND DICTIONARIES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: THE CASE OF THE LATVIAN LANGUAGE
Abstract
In modern linguodidactics, there is no uniform understanding of the necessity of translation in the acquisition of a foreign language. The aim of the research is to find out the language attitudes held by full-time and Erasmus exchange program foreign students towards translation in acquiring Latvian as a foreign language on language proficiency level A1 and A2.
The research is based on a qualitative study dealing with the results of survey data as well as direct observations inferred from the work with foreign students. The questionnaire consists of 11 questions on translation and usage of dictionaries and a question about personal information. The answers of 35 respondents from 12 countries have been analyzed. 91.43 % of the respondents enjoy translation tasks, only 8.57 % of answers are negative. The highest evaluation was given for word translation, that is, 4.23 for translation from a foreign language (Latvian) into English (being the intermediary language) and 4.15 the other way round in a five point scale. Diverse linguistic experience, differences among language systems, students’ language attitudes establish the purposeful use of translation in foreign language acquisition.
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