Wikipedia Translation: Creating Authentic Translator Training Environment and Enriching Arabic Content

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present a new approach in translator training in which students undertake collaborative genuine translation projects. Wikipedia is selected as the repertoire of source material for the purpose of creating authentic training environment in which students experience translating for actual users and enriching Arabic content by increasing the number of Arabic articles in this famous international encyclopedia. An account is first given of the social constructive learning approach (Kiraly, 2000) in translator training and the state of Arabic Wikipedia compared to other languages. The article proceeds to describe the different stages of implementing Wikipedia translation projects and reports students‟ responses to their unique experience. Results are suggestive of the efficiency of the constructivist, collaborative education paradigm in empowering students to independently build up professional translation competence and the promising potential of Wikipedia translation in creating natural training environment and enriching Arabic spatial knowledge.