Developing language and professional skills through translation-reviewing/editing projects [TAPP-Virtual exchange]

This paper focuses on a series of telecollaborative translation-reviewing/editing projects, conducted within the framework of the Trans-Atlantic and Pacific Project (TAPP), an academic network linking university classes in workplace-like projects. The projects aim to finetune the language and professional skills and, also, to enhance the trans-cultural awareness of four classes of students in Italy, Greece and the USA. The tasks include translation of published materials by students in Italy and Greece, followed by review and editing of the translations by students in the USA. The materials comprise articles on science and technology from magazines and on international or Italian/Greek current affairs from the local press, with the aim of translating them accurately and appropriately for a readership of American English speakers. The collaborative projects lead students to various linguistic and intercultural gains and can be used as a tool to promote realistic international professional communication by effectively preparing students for workplace collaborations of this type