Systematic Review: Service Learning and Development of Translation-Related Linguistic Competences

This systematic review aims to establish the main characteristics of service-learning projects that were designed to develop professional linguistic competencies in translating undergraduates. The information collected will be used as a guideline for the design of service-learning projects that facilitate translation development in Chilean translating undergraduates. The information was taken from the Web of Science's database and includes published papers from 2015 to 2020. The papers' contents were reviewed in order to select empirical research studies about service-learning usage. 20 papers were selected and a data matrix was created to facilitate the systematic analysis of data sets. The results showed the context in which service-learning projects were implemented, the educational area, service tasks, and the instruments used to measure their effects on students. It can be concluded that translation tasks might be related to linguistic development and cultural competencies, among other abilities, in community service. The results also showed a correlation between students' motivation and the construction of a new professional identity that makes them aware of their role in the fight against inequality. This review aims to establish a theoretical foundation for the design of service projects that produce similar effects in Chilean translating undergraduates by building up beneficial relationships between students and the community.