An Analysis of the Self-Regulatory Strategies Used by Iranian English-Persian Translators in Translation Process

A Mixed Method Study

Abstract

Self-regulation is considered as self-generated ideas and actions, which are directed towards achieving academic objectives (Cleary & Zimmerman, 2004). The purpose of this mixed-method study was to investigate the English-Persian translators’ perception and use of self-regulatory strategies in translation process. To that end, three research phases were designed. In the first phase, 42 male and female translators were requested to participate in a semi-structured interview designed based on Pintrich’s (2004) model of self-regulation. In second phase of the study, 20 translators were requested to translate sample texts and participate in introspective and retrospective think-aloud protocols. Then, the data from think-aloud protocols and retrospective interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Based on the recurrent themes, a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire on self-regulation strategies of English-Persian translators was developed. This 31-item questionnaire was composed of three sub-sections. In the quantitative phase of this study, thirty English-Persian translators were selected through purposive sampling and invited to answer the questionnaire, thereby self-reporting their use of self-regulatory strategies in translation process. Finally, the results revealed that English-Persian translators ignored motivational, affective, contextual phases of self-regulation to a large extent, and might approach translation process only as a cognitive process. The findings of this study offer implications for translators and translation programs.