A New Angle on L2 Texts: A Statistical Approach to Translation Universals

A New Angle on L2 Writers’ Texts: A Statistical Approach to Translation Universals Younghee Cheri Lee Yong-hun Lee Yonsei University Chungnam National University 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Seoul 03722, S. Korea Daejeon 34134, S. Korea cheriberry@yonsei.ac.kr yleeuiuc@hanmail.net Abstract Studies on the second language (L2) writing from the angle of translation universals (TU) have substantial empirical research prospects, but as yet only limited literature explains what linguistic factors shape non-nativeness in L2 writing. This article claims to prove that key TU indices may predict non-nativeness, more particularly translationese in L2 writers’ texts. The ultimate aim is thus to classify texts using the indices of translationese, which will, in turn, signify shared, universal features detectable in L2 texts. To that end, we used a collection of multi-factorial analysis methods to compare native scholars' L1 corpora, respectively with two varieties of non-Anglophone scholars’ non- translated L2 corpora (L1 English vs. Quasi-L2 English vs. L2 English). The results provided evidence that the TU indices were valid to spot translationese as a signal of non-nativeness in expert non-native writers’ journal abstracts. Additionally, the behavioral profiles of TU indices demonstrated that the two variant L2 texts were clustered in higher mutual proximity due to intergroup homogeneity when compared to their native counterparts. 1. Introduction Since the last decade facilitated significant advances in the accessibility of large digitized corpora along with robust algorithmic techniques, a corpus-based approach has been manifestly operative in mapping the methodological structure of empirical research queries in L2 text-based studies such as L2 writing and translation studies. A vast array of research on L2 writers’ texts to date has been mostly dependent on the cognitive behavior models of the second language writing process to lay the theoretical groundwork (see Lee, 2017). In particular, crosslinguistic influences have been the focus of ongoing research endeavors in second language writing (Cumming, 1990). Key research strands include interruptions, transfer, code-switching, positive interplay, and translation strategy (e.g. Bagheri & Fazel, 2011; Connor, 1999; Cumming, 1990; Grabe, 2001; Jarvis & Pavlenko, 2008; Kellog, 1987; Reid & Findlay, 1986; Sasaki, 2000; Swales, 1990; Silva, 1993; Uzawa, 1996; Ventola & Mauranen, 1991; Wang & Wen, 2002; Woodall, 2002). Concerning the studies on translated L2 texts, nearly all investigations have yet centered on descriptive translation studies, in which research aims are primarily to delineate similarities and dissimilarities between natives’ L1 originals and non-natives’ L2 translations, thereby identifying group interactions automatically (e.g. Baroni & Bernardini, 2006; Gaspari and Bernardini, 2008). Meanwhile, a growing body of recent research has started to draw particular attention to uncovering shared similarities among L2 writers’ texts so as to prove the characteristics both peculiar and universal (c.f. Baker, 1993, 1995, 1996; Crossley & McNamara, 2011; Goh & Lee, 2016a; 2016b; Hinkel, 2002; Laviosa, 1998a, 1998b, 2002; Lee, 2017, 2018). PACLIC 32 348 32nd Pacific Asia Conference on Language, Information and Computation Hong Kong, 1-3 December 2018 Copyright 2018 by the authors Despite the earlier research efforts, however, there remain unmet research needs for further exploration. Although …

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