Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies

7 Machines and Technology

Jesús Torres-del-Rey

Objectives

• Identify the main technologies that have shaped the practice of translating printed and computer-based applications and documents over the last decades of the 20th and into the 21st century.
• Learn the main concepts, components, and mechanisms behind each translation technology.
• Learn how translation technologies are used.
• Reflect on how technologies influence the work of translators, the definitions of translation, and the way that the translation profession is seen.
• Learn the history of the main tools in the translation profession.
• Identify discourses and practices to help shape the use and interpretation of translation technology in ethical, human-centric ways for translators and translation users.
• Learn about present and future directions in translation technologies.

7.1 Introduction

Translation can hardly be understood today without technology. Nowadays, translators do most of their research on the Internet rather than in physical libraries. They use word processing or computer-aided translation (CAT) software for their jobs and then exchange quotations, drafts, language and document resources, translation queries, and suggestions via email, social media, or other online workflow management platforms. Many work collaboratively with fellow translators, revisers, desktop publishing operators, and other professionals, and they use cloud technologies as well as many other digital transformative tools.

Over the past ...