Classifications of Translation Strategies in Scientific Articles and the Naive Method: Results of a Quasi-Experiment

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the concept of the “naive method”, a term not yet widely adopted in academic discourse. The naive method can be defined as a research approach utilized in naive linguistics or “zombie science”, characterized by its simplicity in application and interpretation of results. This study proposes that classifications which are both easy to use and appear methodologically rigorous can serve as the foundation for a naive method in researching translation strategies. Such classifications not only simplify research processes but also create an impression of scholarly rigor by referencing established literature and presenting representative results.

The research draws on E.E. Davies’s classification of translation strategies as its primary material. A quasi-experimental approach was employed, hypothesizing that if adolescents on the “non-linguist-linguist” spectrum ‒ particularly those closer to the non-linguist end ‒ can replicate the findings of scholarly articles using the same classification, then the research method in such articles can be considered naive. Results from the quasi-experiment revealed that participants identified 76‒79% of the same strategies (“techniques”), partially supporting the hypothesis.

This study highlights issues surrounding research methodologies, particularly the theoretical sources and classifications used in translation strategy studies. It also underscores that elements of “zombie science” and naive methods can be observed in articles focused on translation strategies.