The Challenge of Translating Pictures: the example of the RBANS Picture Naming Subtest

Transcription

1 The Challenge of Translating Pictures: the example of the RBANS Picture Naming Subtest Rendu E 1, Harel B 2, Nomikos A 2, Caveney A 2,3, Acquadro C 4, Conway K 4, Anfray C 1 1 Mapi Institute, Lyon, France; 2 CogState, New Haven, CT, USA; 3 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; 4 Mapi Research Trust, Lyon, France 1

2 Background Some Definitions RBANS Picture Naming Subtest: Part of Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status to screen for abnormal cognitive decline. Recognition test involving 10 drawings of objects that must be named. Several lists of objects can be used. Picture naming requires the execution of several distinct processes: - Identification of the pictured object, - Retrieval of a word that names the object, and - Articulation of the corresponding phonology 2

3 Background Examples of pictures 3

4 Background Examples of Scoring Forms Scoring: 1 point for each item that is correctly named. Item Responses Score (0 or 1) 1. Chair 2. Pencil 3. Well 4. Giraffe 5. Sailboat (if boat, query what kind ) Scoring: 1 point for each item that is correctly named. Item Responses Score (0 or 1) 1. Bed 2. Mushroom 3. Flower 4. Iron 5. Barn

5 Study Objectives To translate 40 pictures into 13 different languages: English and French for Canada, German, Spanish for Mexico and the USA, Bulgarian, Czech, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Hungarian, Chinese for Taiwan, Korean Ideally: Source 1 picture 1 word Target 1 picture 1 word Challenges: Cultural adequacy of picture across target languages Identification of one word for each picture 5

6 Methods Criteria for selecting substitutes for objects and their names in case of cultural inappropriateness : Object and name should: 1. Belong to the same semantic field as the original 2. Match original in terms of frequency of use Object should be: 1. easily drawable 6

7 Methods Team Mapi Institute s local Consultant Speech therapist Translator All native speakers of the target languages Process Checking of cultural appropriateness of pictures Proposal of substitute object (if needed) Forward and literal backtranslation of corresponding words Cogstate team (clinicians) MI s local consultant MI s Linguistic Validation project manager Review of translations and substitutes Final decision 7

8 Results Of a total of 40 objects / names: 14 objects were maintained across all languages: i.e., original picture kept, and only one word to name the picture in target language 26 objects were problematic, resulting in: Either use of several word alternatives, i.e., the original picture was kept, but synonyms were added in the scoring forms Or substitution: i.e., original picture was changed 8

9 Results 14 objects were maintained across all languages Pencil, Giraffe, Bed, Flower, Iron, Hammer, Scissors, Dice, Funnel, Crown, Candle, Saw, Envelope, Ruler 9

10 List Item/Word Bulgarian Czech Results Same pictures, but use of several word alternatives French for Canada Hungarian Kannada US Spanish MX Spanish A 1. Chair 2 w 2 w A 3. Well 2 w 2 w A 5. Sailboat 3 w 3 w A 6. Cannon 3 w 2 w A 7. Pliers 3 w 3 w A 8. Trumpet 2 w A 9. Clothespin 2 w 2 w 2 w 2 w A 10. Kite 2 w 2 w B 2. Mushroom 2 w 3 w 2 w B 3. Flower 2 w B 5. Barn 2 w B 6. Anchor 2 w B 10. Sea horse 2 w 2 w 2 w 2 w C 1. Key 2 w C 2. Palette 2 w 2 w C 3. Whistle 2 w C 8. Toaster 2 w C 9. Accordion 2 w C 10. Screw driver 2 w 2 w D 3. Racquet 2 w 2 w 2 w D 4. Turtle 2 w D 5. Bulb 3 w 3 w D 7. Stethoscope 2 w D 10. Balloon 3 w 10

11 Results Pictures substituted, culturally inappropriate in some countries Item List Substitute Languages Bulgarian, Hungarian, Korean, Marathi, House Barn B Hindi, Kannada, Czech, Spanish for Mexico Wooden House Chinese Sea horse B Crab Hindi, Kannada, Marathi Mushroom B Cauliflower Hindi, Marathi Anchor B Axe Hindi, Marathi Accordion C Harmonium Hindi, Kannada, Marathi Violin/Cello Chinese Toaster C Kettle Bulgarian, Korean, Hindi, Marathi Bullock Cart Hindi, Kannada, Marathi Toboggan/sled C Cart Spanish for Mexico Rollerblade Chinese Palette C Paintbrush All Stethoscope D Thermometer Bulgarian, Hungarian 11

12 Results Example 1 Disease area : Dementia Language : US English Bulgarian, Hungarian, Korean, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, Czech, Spanish for Mexico Original: Barn Experts opinion Not recognized as a barn, but as a wooden house, need to have an equivalent in same semantic field (building) and frequently used Final versions: House 12

13 Results Example 2 Disease area : Dementia Language : US English Bulgarian, Korean, Hindi, Marathi Original: Toaster Experts opinion Not frequently used, need to replace it by an equivalent in same semantic field (kitchen device) Final versions: Kettle 13

14 Results Example 3 Disease area : Dementia Language : US English Bulgarian, Hungarian Original: Stethoscope Experts opinion Not frequently used by patients, need to replace it by an equivalent in same semantic field (medical device) Final versions: Thermometer 14

15 Summary Some pictures could be kept as original Other pictures were named with different words Some pictures had to be substituted Requirement of experts to identify appropriate solutions 15

16 Recommendations When translating pictures: Establish cultural adequacy of source pictures Involve local teams to make sure appropriate substitutes are found when needed (culturally adequate and frequently used) Make sure substitutes belong to the same semantic field (similar stimulus) Involve speech therapist in target country 16