{"id":109,"date":"2026-07-14T12:57:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/effort\/?page_id=109"},"modified":"2026-07-14T12:57:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:57:34","slug":"guide-to-using-the-framework","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/effort\/guide-to-using-the-framework\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to using the framework"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This guide is also available in Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Slovene, and Spanish. Switch language in the top right menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the documents are available in English only. The self-assessment tool is available in English, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Slovene, and Spanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is this framework?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In translation, unlike in the case of foreign languages \u2014which has the CEFR\u2014, there is no common European framework of reference, nor a tradition of research into the attainment of performance levels. The aim of the Third NACT Proposal<\/em> is to advance towards a common European framework of reference for use in translator training and professional translation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a revised version of the proposed framework originally developed in the PACTE group\u2019s \u201cEstablishing Competence Levels in the Acquisition of Translation Competence in Written Translation\u201d project (NACT<\/a>, based on the project\u2019s initials in Spanish).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The framework refers to written translation only. It comprises three proposed translation levels (A, B and C), and its level descriptors are designed around five competences (language competence, extralinguistic competence, instrumental competence, service provision competence, and methodological and strategic competence). The framework focuses  especially on translation levels A and B, which comprise sub-levels. Level C is only described in general terms; providing further details about this level is one of the objectives of the EFFORT project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This proposal will be of use to trainers, students, professionals, employers and accreditation bodies in the translation arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is this guide for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This guide explains how users, such as trainers, students, translators, employers and accreditation bodies, can make optimal use of the materials  mentioned in this guide It aims to better understand and use a proposed scale of level descriptors in translation (i.e. the Third NACT Proposal)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is this  framework for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This framework serves both educational and professional purposes. Materials on this website can be used by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trainers and educational institutions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educational institutions and trainers can draw inspiration from the proposal of level descriptors to: develop or refresh a translation curriculum; set and refine learning outcomes; monitor learning progress in existing programmes; design new courses and course content; work out assessment grids which take into account text difficulty; and, ultimately, help narrow the gap between learning outcomes in translator training and requirements in professional translation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students can use the self-assessment tool to assess their respective performance levels in translation. The framework helps them analyse strengths and weaknesses in translation, and allows them to work toward improving their performance in a goal-oriented and tailored manner. The framework also allows for the monitoring of learning progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional translators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translators can gather information on expected behaviour, at different levels, and use the self-assessment tool to identify gaps that require attention. The self-assessment tool can be used to periodically monitor translation competence development .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers in the Language Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The self-assessment tool can facilitate recruitment processes for employers in the Language Industry, as it allows for differentiation in levels of translation competence. The examples of texts provide useful guidance in the selection of source texts and evaluation of candidate\u2019s target texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accreditation bodies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accreditation institutions can use the framework of reference to inform educational and evaluation standards for translation and serve as a basis for audits within the domains of translator training and professional translation. The framework can thus be instrumental in the recognition and validation of academic diplomas and certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to use this guide?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This guide presents a number of materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third NACT Proposal of Competence Descriptors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Third NACT Proposal<\/em> presents a scale of translation levels. By using the NACT proposal, educational institutions can refine translation curricula and learning outcomes to the demands of the international language industry and monitor learning progress throughout the curricula in a reliable manner. Employers can also establish criteria for the recruitment of candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of texts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guide also offers examples of texts<\/a>. The texts serve an illustrative purpose, as they provide practical examples of different levels of texts and potential translation problems encountered in said texts and allow for differentiation between the levels of translation competence required to translate these texts and resolve those problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translator trainers and employers in the language industry can use these examples to: select suitable texts to evaluate students or candidates; identify translation problems for evaluating students or candidates; and facilitate the assessment of translation assignments. Students and professional translators can also use these texts to gain more concrete insight into progress in the acquisition of translation competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glossary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The glossary is part of the Third NACT Proposal<\/em> and can be found therein, as well as in this tab<\/a>, for ease of use. It has 38 entries defining 79 concepts . The concepts in question are divided in seven sections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n