Contribution of teachers of translation in promoting the public recognition of the translation profession in Burundi

Abstract

Translation plays a vital role in communication without having to learn a foreign language. It also paves the way for knowledge dissemination between people from different cultural backgrounds. However, the translation profession is still little recognized in Burundi. This article attempts to appraise the role of lecturers of translation at university in the development of the translation profession in Burundi. Tseng’s model of professionalisation and the theory of control are two theoretical frameworks underpinning this study. Questionnaires were administered to translation lecturers at the undergraduate level. The data collected were therefore analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results indicated that the translation profession is unknown in Burundi. The findings also revealed that lecturers of translation at universities do not act as a role model in promoting public recognition of the translation profession. This research finally recommends that all stakeholders in the translation profession should establish a body regulatory to regulate translation practices on the market.