Over the past 15 years, the field of translation studies has seen considerable theoretical and experimental activity in the area of cognitive translation processes. Many observational studies have been conducted with the attempts of understanding what translators actually do compared to what they are assumed to be doing. Accessing the black box and gaining a better understanding of what goes on during translation will advance the field of study, open new areas of research, and improve the way translation is viewed and taught. Researchers have focused on various aspects of the process including revision (Mossop, 2001), creativity (Kussmaul, 1997), professional and student approaches (Séguinot, 1989; Tirkkonnen-Condit, 1989; Jääskeläinen and Tirkkonnen-Condit, 1991), time pressure (Jensen, 1999) and many more. While observing translators, researchers make use of data collecting tools such video cameras, think-aloud verbalizations, retrospective interviews and computer software programs. This article aims to critically evaluate the methods used to observe the translation process. Within the context of a study conducted at Toyota Canada, my objective is to test the methods and to make recommendations for more advanced practices of observation.
