The biliteracy translation measure: Using written translations to index bilingualism and biliteracy in Spanish and English

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine written translation as a means to: a) build on the theoretical notion that a bilingual individual’s languages are shared; b) operationalize biliterate ability; and c) propose a new method of assessment for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Drawing from the fields of cognitive psychology and literacy, a conceptual framework was developed for the use of written translation to examine biliteracy. Next, the Biliteracy Translation Measure (BTM), a Spanish-English written translation task, was designed and tested. Results suggest a positive relationship between parallel measures of English and Spanish language and literacy and the BTM, providing support for the BTM’s utility in assessing biliteracy.