Flow experience in Chinese-English translation : positive psychological mechanisms and cognitive characteristics

Abstract

Grounded in positive psychology, this empirical study of 108 student translators employs diverse data analysis techniques to explore the mechanisms underlying the flow state in translation and its cognitive characteristics. Common positive psychological traits exhibited by translators during the translation process are also identified. The analyses reveal the following:1) 37% of the 108 student translators experienced the flow state during Chinese-English translation practice; 2) A high degree of balance between skills and challenges is pivotal in initiating the flow state, with a strong sense of control and a loss of self-consciousness representing its most prominent cognitive characteristics; 3) Whether they experienced flow or not, student translators consistently exhibited some positive psychological traits during translation, such as goal-oriented self-efficacy, autotelic immersion that ignores the passage of time, and the merging of actions and awareness. These findings have significant implications for advancing translation theory, fostering translators’ skills, and refining pedagogical strategies in translation education. 本研究基于积极心理学理论框架，以108名学生译者为实验对象，运用实证研究方法和多元化数据分析技术，深入探索翻译过程中心流体验的形成机制及其具体认知特点，并系统归纳译者在翻译过程中的普遍积极心理表征。研究结果显示：1）在进行汉英翻译实践时，约有37%的学生译者成功进入心流状态；2）技能与挑战的高度匹配是促使翻译心流产生的关键因素，高控制感和忘我状态是翻译心流最显著的认知特点；3）译者在翻译实践中无论是否进入心流状态，普遍都有以下积极心理表征，即目标导向的自我效能、内在驱动的忘时沉浸、知行融合的任务参与。本研究的结论可以为发展翻译理论、提升译者能力、优化教学策略提供启示。