USING URDU-ENGLISH CODE-SWITCHING IN THE TRANSLATION OF SLOSSON INTELLIGENCE TEST

Abstract

Most of the Pakistani population uses Urdu-English code-switching in daily discourse. It is also the mode of instruction in educational institutions where explanations are given in Urdu while retaining key-terms in English. Translating the items completely in either one language compromises functional equivalence for most of the population. The purpose of this study was to translate the items of Slosson Intelligence Test- third edition (SIT-R3) for the Pakistani population, in a way that mitigates effects of any language proficiency. This article calls attention to the fact that functional equivalence is more important than literal translation. Therefore, whilst translating items of SITR3, mainstream communication patterns were replicated and Urdu-English codeswitching was used. It was seen that this aided ease of understanding on part of the test-taker and reduced need for any explanations, thus expediting the testing process. A reliability study conducted on 219 school going children shows strong internal consistency (KR-20= 0.98) and strong (odd/even) split-half reliability (0.98).