An evaluation of the EMT: Compatibility with the professional translator’s needs

Appeal towards training translators as a sector in translation studies has had a dramatic increase throughout the past decade due to the needs for intercultural communication. Consequently, translator training institutes have multiplied and translation scholars’ concern for providing a sound educational basis is realizable. Having reviewed the several translation competences models proposed by translation scholars, it seems that the EMT (European Master’s in Translation) framework is known as the most successful. However, due to the criticisms of the EMT model encompassing the exclusion of the professional translators’ views and their real-world needs in the market, the present study seeks to report the professional translators’ insights on the compatibility of this framework with their needs. This study adopted a descriptive-survey approach using stratified sampling technique. The instrument for this study included a five-point likert-scale translation competences questionnaire. The participants of this study were selected through a list of the professional translators of Proz.com (the selection criteria was having more than five years of experience). A total number of 700 questionnaires were randomly distributed among which 456 respondents replied through the Limesurvey website. The findings revealed that the “language competence”, “thematic competence” and “intercultural competence” were the three highest ranks in the category followed by the “Translation service provision competence”, “Information mining competence” and “Technological competence”. Focusing on the most compatible competences, the educational systems for translator training can establish a link between educating the future translators and the perceived needs in the translation market. University training should concentrate on training the students who acquire a high level of linguistic competence, knowledge of the subject matter, and the cultural knowledge of both source and target language.