The Analytical and Synthetic Study of Translation Problems in English External Letters: A Case Study Certificated of Employment, Suan Dusit University

Abstract

This research is an analytical and synthetic study of the translation problems of English external letters: A case study of certificates of employment, Suan Dusit University. The objectives were to: 1) analyze translation problems arising from the translation of English external letters, 2) synthesize effective solutions for translating English external letters, and 3) develop a standard template for English external letters used to certify active and non-active staff and decrease errors in operational practice. Issuing English external letters necessitates that they be handled by support staff who are specialized and skilled in language. The study of certificates of employment, a total of 317 letters which were issued during the 2024 fiscal year, found that 48 letters were incorrect and returned to the responsible unit for correction. The identified problems were syntactic structure, such as word choice, tense, voice, punctuation, human error, and operational practices. The most frequent error was improper word choice at 61.53%, followed by errors in tense at 53.84%, voice at 19.23%, human error at 11.53%, and punctuation at 7.69%, respectively. The result of this research highlights the necessity of establishing effective guidelines and enhancing the staff's language competencies to ensure the quality of English external letters up to international standards and increase a positive organizational image in communications with both domestic and international partners.