Text simplification, accessibility and translation in multilingual classrooms

Abstract

This paper reports the results of two researches on E-learning resources focused on the training of translators and conducted with the support of UFRGS Distance Learning Department. With the participation of students and professors of regular Translation and Terminology courses taught at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), the research aimed at: a) presenting to students and professors topics such as text and terminological complexity, simplification and accessibility in the current scenario of professional translation training; b) demonstrating how these topics can be explored in multilingual classrooms considering the translation, proofreading and adaptation of technical texts; c) proposing and validating e-learning activities tested during regular and face-to-face classes. The data collected indicated the best profiles for e-learning activities associated with the topics in focus, in terms of distance learning resources. They also helped identify potential problems in the pedagogical flow, pointing out what areas should be emphasized during the students’ learning process.