Improving Translation Teaching for Transnational Business: Voices of Translators from Chinese Enterprises in Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Under the influence of economic globalization, Chinese enterprises are seeking more international market shares, and Africa is one of their crucial markets. This calls for translators who are experienced in multilingual business communication, which brings a challenge for business translation education in Chinese universities. In this paper, a qualitative case study is used to explore the perceptions of a cohort of translators working for globalized enterprises in Africa. This study uses a practical and bottom-up perspective to examine the status quo and the challenges encountered by translators in a transnational business setting. These translators’ experiences and reflections offer a close-up view of communication and language services in Chinese transnational enterprises, and solutions are suggested for improving the teaching of business translation at universities in this era of international transactions. The practitioners’ suggestions offer insights into business translation teaching in Chinese universities and other parts of the world.