Skills and Competencies Needed to fill the existing gaps in Translation Training at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Abstract
Translation is increasingly recognised as a professional competence, yet it remains largely a pedagogical exercise within language programmes in many Nigerian universities. This study assesses the skills and competencies required by students and lecturers to address gaps in translation training in the Department of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Maiduguri. A mixed-methods design was adopted, involving a structured questionnaire administered to all eight eligible Level 300 and Level 400 French students and an open-ended instrument completed by six lecturers. Students responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, while lecturer responses were analysed thematically. The findings highlight five interconnected areas for strengthening translation training: bilingual and transfer competence, technological competence, specialised and professional competence, practice-oriented competence, and industry-linked training. Students expressed the lowest confidence in translating general texts, with 62.5% reporting agreement with the relevant questionnaire item. All eight students indicated a desire for more hands-on projects and a dedicated translation programme. Lecturers further emphasized the need for training in computer assisted translation (CAT) tools, artificial intelligence (AI), post-editing, humanitarian specialisation, revision, professional ethics and certification. Neither students nor lecturers explicitly identified translation briefs or the communicative purpose of translation as training priorities. Given the small study population, the findings are exploratory and descriptive rather than generalisable. The study therefore proposes a five-component training framework for strengthening training and recommends establishing a dedicated Translation Studies programme, developing translator trainers’ competencies, providing a translation laboratory, and fostering partnerships with professional translation organisations.
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