Translation in the digital era: tools and practices

Description

The recent revolutionary upheaval in the field of technology has brought far-reaching changes within the discipline of translation in the present era. In fact, the ongoing convergence of communication and information and computer technologies (ICTs) has given rise to an accelerated pace at which institutions these days function. The surge of translation Apps, automatic online translation, subtitling, online terminological databases, to name but a few, has allowed for digital and audio-visual materials (html, videos, video games…) to be localized for different types of audiences. In line with the latter, the workplace of the translator has evolved in an attempt to accommodate and benefit from the latest technology-driven tools and deliver best quality translations within a time-efficient manner adapting to the rise of multiple different types of language projects requiring not only translation, but revision, and oftentimes layout for publication.

This course introduces students to a wide range of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools through an overview of modern electronic translation environments and advice on how those translation tools can best be integrated into the translation process.

Large translation projects are these days commonly monitored by translation agencies which help companies localise their products and establish an ongoing business relationship where project managers become the cornerstone. This will help students identify different types of assignments and their preferred processing in the industry. An initial in-depth mapping of the current translator´s workplace is given with a view to understanding the different processes at hand for any translation assignment, from the customer to the translator, through the translation agency and the translation project manager.  

Additionally, the basics of audio-visual translation (AVT) and the recent boom and proliferation of AV texts and software localization will be explained so as to gain an insight into this ever-more-demanding and interdisciplinary field of translation. Consequently, and by way of practical illustration, an introduction into the world of subtitling will be given so that students can safely undertake their own future subtitling assignments.  

Last but not least, the central practical side of this course will enable students to become familiar and utilize their own Computer-Assisted Translation Tool, SDL Trados Studio. This particular CAT platform lets users approach their own translation assignments more efficiently within a variety of digital formats. As a result, students taking this course will be provided with the necessary skills to manage files, set up their own working station, edit their own work (word processing) and most importantly, benefit from the advantages of using a translation memory and a terminology management tool within this practical study block.

*Students will be translating into English, for most of their assignments, but some work will be translating out of English, with all students tackling the same text whenever possible.