[Leeds Interpreting Studies Seminar Series] Assessing translation and interpreting: Past, present, and future

Speaker: Dr. Chao Han (National University of Singapore)

Moderator: Prof. Binhua Wang

Venue: Baines Wing SR (3.06), University of Leeds; Online via Teams Meeting (Please register via the above link)

Abstract

Assessment and evaluation are crucial in producing vital evidence for important decision-making in translator and interpreter education, professional certification, and translation and interpreting (T&I) research. Over the last fifteen years, T&I assessment has seen rapid development and increased scholarly interest globally. In my talk, I will explore the history, scope, and significance of this field, highlight various scoring methods, review recent research advancements, and project future research trends. Specifically, I will analyze two primary T&I assessment paradigms: human and machine scoring, and consider the potential of their collaborative use. My intention is to present a robust evidence-based research program I have been involved in for the past decade. I will also discuss a series of empirical studies, their findings, and their implications for different assessment contexts. The talk will conclude with an outline of prospective research directions that could further the field of T&I assessment. My aim is to provide the audience with a comprehensive understanding of T&I assessment as a valuable and promising area of research.

Speaker’s Bio:

Dr. Chao Han is Associate Professor of Translation Studies at the National University of Singapore. His research focuses on assessment and evaluation in translation and interpreting, meta-research, and research methodology. He has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals, including Interpreting, Target, Language Testing, Language Assessment Quarterly, and Computer Assisted Language Learning. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory Board of Interpreting: International Journal of Research and Practice in Interpreting (John Benjamins).