Analyzing EFL students’ translation products: Errors and Creativity

Abstract

This study analyzes the errors and creativity of EFLstudents in their translation products. Its primary goal is to identify the types of errors that occur in translated documents and to recognize that creativity is applied appropriately using the qualitative method with a content analysis approach. The analysis documents include translation products of third-year students majoring in English and a short translation test. The researcher reused tables of analyzing errors from the previous study, but the analyzing process was mainly focused on content. Simultaneously, creativity in the translation of students' products was noted, then found out the correlation between errors and creativity in translation was seen as students applied creative factors inappropriately. The first finding reveals beneficial information for those who made the same errors and assessed the quality of students' translations, which can be referenced for translation teaching purposes. The second findings show that some students make mistakes from confusing creativity in translation with the mistranslation of content. This study has certain limitations regarding analysis, mainly in final translation exercises and exercises focusing on content. Further research can research translation products weekly and then compare them with the final translation assignment to assess the quality of students’ translations more accurately.