Building Intercultural Communication Competence in Translator Training: A Metacognitive Approach

Intercultural communication competence and skills have become increasingly essential for translators to succeed in the global language industry. While some university translation programs offer a specific course explicitly covering intercultural communication, others teach it implicitly, embedding other practical courses. The main aim of study is shed light on ways adapting courses interpreting students by uncovering student perceptions relationship between awareness discussing role cross-cultural interaction-oriented assignments with metacognitive approach, giving impetus aspiration self-improvement life-long learning. For this purpose, we conducted research at state Turkey during 14-week Communication 2021/2022 spring semester. Our data-gathering method based focus group discussions qualitative content analysis using MAXQDA 2020. Following analysis, three themes been identified: experiencing interaction, building awareness, developing ıntercultural skills. results show that an interpersonal assignment contributes students’ several aspects: gaining self-confidence, improving their sensitivity mindfulness, noticing cultural stereotypes, reflecting similarities differences. Furthermore, benefiting from self-reflexive realized being aware effects differences, as well commonalities mindset, language, certain behaviors necessary skill future translators.