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Article published In:
Target
Vol. 4:2 (1992) ► pp.223–236

The Cloze Technique as A Pedagogical Tool for the Training of Translators and Interpreters

| University of Ottawa

This article focuses on the versatility of the cloze technique, as a tool not only for measuring second-language proficiency, but also for selecting and training both translators (written cloze) and interpreters (aural cloze). When presented auditorily, the cloze test discriminates pass and fail interpreter students, given the external pacing and speed stress experienced by simultaneous interpreters in real life. The article offers several ways to administer the cloze technique as well as examples of such doctored material.

Article outline
  • I.Definition of the Cloze Test
  • II.Measuring Linguistic Proficiency
  • III.Versatility of the Cloze Test
  • IV.The Cloze Test as a Selection Tool
  • V.The Cloze Procedure and Simultaneous Interpretation
    • 1.Mother-tongue to mother-tongue applications of the procedure
      • i)keeping abreast of current events
      • ii)synonym flexibility
      • iii)command of mother-tongue
      • iv)memory for detail
    • 2.Passive language to mother tongue: a further application of the procedure
  • VI.Factors in Passage Preparation
    • i)word class
    • ii)word position
    • iii)context
    • iv)practice
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 1 January 1992
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.4.2.06lam
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Baxter, Robert Neal
2014. A simplified multi-model approach to preparatory training in simultaneous interpreting. Perspectives 22:3 ► pp. 349 ff. DOI logo
Tavares, Célia, Laura Tallone, Luciana Oliveira & Sandra Ribeiro
2023. The Challenges of Teaching and Assessing Technical Translation in an Era of Neural Machine Translation. Education Sciences 13:6 ► pp. 541 ff. DOI logo
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