An Analysis of Student Translation Using a Corpus Tool and its Application

The present study aims to demonstrate how a learner corpus, a collection of raw texts produced by non-native speakers of English, can be utilized in a translation class in order to help students to discover patterns of language use and improve their language competence in translating into L2. Using a corpus analysis tool, it is feasible to retrieve empirical data which show patterns of language use as non-native speakers of English. The analysis of the learner corpus showed that the corpus had more function words than content words, implying that the text that students translated seemed easy. In addition, there were differences in the use of certain words. That is, the students used the words in different contexts that native speakers of English hardly used. A learner corpus, with its richness of data showing a variety of language uses, is of great resource in order to study how students use language and, in turn, to promote the language competence of students, especially when they have to render into L2.