Most research on polysemous words concentrates on single words processed out of context by monolinguals. The present experimental study, developed in the framework of the EYE-to-IT European Research Project, sets out to expand the research topic to translation by introducing the parameters of context and bilingualism.[1] Norwegian-English bilinguals with expert translating skills (professional translators) and those without specific translating skills (bilinguals) were asked to translate an English text containing polysemous words into Norwegian, and to transcode into Norwegian (i.e., translate out of context) a selection of the same polysemous words as those which appeared in the text. In order to evaluate how context and expertise level influenced polysemous word processing during comprehension and production in translation, an experiment was designed to record eye behaviour and typed productions using eye-tracking and key-logging. Data were analysed with quantitative and qualitative methods. Our study will provide evidence that while context has a depolysemizing effect in comprehension, it has a multiplying effect when reformulating the content during production. Before presenting this work and its results, a brief detour into translatology will establish the theoretical framework.
[1]6th Framework Programme Priority, Information Society Technologies, Contract no 517590
