The Impact of New Technology on the Translator
We’ve all heard about the latest technologies: Translation Memory, CAT and Cloud-based storage. But do you really understand the impact of these new technologies on the Translator? Here are some basic principles that you should understand. The first thing you should know is that computers cannot do complex translation work as well as humans do. That’s because computers do not have human emotions. But we can still trust computers to handle simple tasks.
Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)
CAT systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The CAT tools allow translators to translate more complex text with a single click, and they retain translation history and terminology. However, translators must use caution when using CAT tools, as they may not understand nuanced translations or localize content properly. Because CAT tools are web-based, they may not be secure and could cause personal information to be compromised.
CAT tools have been around for several years. ALPS’s Translation Support System was regarded as the first prototype of a CAT system, but the system was hardly commercially viable until the late 1980s. INK Netherlands later re-engineered the system, resulting in INK TextTools. The early systems were limited in terms of functionality and required simple programming. At that time, conditions were not ripe for commercialization of CAT technology.
Translation Memory
With the aid of translation memory, German translation providers can improve their productivity by 70 percent. As a result, they can save thirty percent on translation projects. A human translator can also accept translation suggestions from the tool, since translation memory can improve the quality of the translation. Translation memory software, such as OneSky, uses algorithms to rate matches based on the context of the entire sentence. This way, a human translator can be assured that every translation is accurate and consistent.
As Machine Translation becomes increasingly popular, translators can benefit by saving their translated content in Translation Memories. Translation Memories can also serve as training data for Machine Translation engines. With less time to translate, a translator will be able to take on more projects. With more time to complete translation projects, competition will be less intense. And as translations become easier and quicker, they are more accurate. But what about the human translator?
Cloud-based storage
Translation and localization has come a long way. Desktop translation software has given way to cloud-based applications and online storage. Hard copies of translations have been replaced with e-files, making them easier to store and share. Traditionally, translators had to sift through dictionaries and surf pages of translation files to find the right term. But today, translation memory software can help translators keep a record of all their translation files and requests in one central place.
Translation environments in the Cloud are a great resource for LSPs. They can collaborate with translators on the same project and improve project management. There is the risk that third-party companies may accidentally delete data or migrate it to their servers without backing it up. If this happens, companies must call a customer support line and request a backup. This can take days. Despite these potential dangers, translation services in the Cloud offer flexibility and collaboration.
Privacy concerns
As we adopt more technological tools and applications, privacy concerns are becoming more widespread. These concerns range from physical and emotional interference to spam emails and retargeting practices. In fact, the majority of Americans don’t believe that firms will be responsible stewards of personal information. In fact, seven out of 10 say they don’t believe companies will acknowledge mistakes and make changes. Sixty percent do not think firms will use their personal information in a way they are comfortable with.
There are competing accounts of privacy, both descriptive and normative. A reductionist account asserts that privacy is not an absolute right but is a matter of identifying other values. Some of these are property rights, autonomy, friendship, democracy, liberty, dignity, and economic value. But no one account can be all-inclusive. These concerns are as varied as the technologies themselves. Let’s examine the most common concerns about privacy and their relation to new technology.