Instrumental Sub-competence and the Creation of Reference Material

Abstract

Nowadays translators have countless resources to assist them in their task. Knowing how to use these resources is part of the instrumental sub-competence (HURTADO ALBIR, 2005, 2015a, 2015b; PACTE, 2009). Undoubtedly, it is necessary to have translation competence to surf amid a barrage of material, much of which is made available in electronic format. But if, on the one hand, translators need to know how to use the resources offered to them, on the other, it is necessary to develop material that is practical, effective and reliable. The lack of reference material to deal with the translation of medical abbreviations was the basis for the creation of a (Portuguese/ English) bilingual glossary of abbreviations in the field of rheumatology. Although these shortened forms are recurrent in the medical text, they continue to challenge translators. This article describes some of the phases of the creation of this glossary and discusses the relationship between the preparation of reference material and the instrumental sub-competence.