Modern Translation Technology - Essay Example

Translation Technology Introduction to translation Translation is a major subject in the modern world that cannot be ignored nor discussed in the absence of technology. Human beings use translation on an everyday basis to understand various aspects in their lives. The emergence of electronic translators has improved the art of translation with a variety of intelligent systems developed to serve the purpose. Increased access to computers is also a factor in translation as it has increased access to information and the various softwares available in the market. This brings the question of what exactly is a translation and what it entails. Translation is the transfer of literal information from one form to a form desired by the user. This may include the transfer of information from one language to another or the interpretation of information from a technical form to a form that is familiar with the recipient ;for example the translation of scientific and technical information to a layman language. Technology is at the heart of all these activities with the language translating software playing a major role in translation. With the wide spread use of smart phone and other computerized resources, they are used to translate various print materials to electronic materials (Cronin 2013, p.1). The use of copyrited materials in various website has created controversy with the technology enabling the access of copyrited electronic material (Song 2011, p.58). This has led to the infringement of the rights of the owners of the material. The increased demand for translation in line with the 24hour economy has made increased application of technology in translation is inevitable. Technology has had its toll in translation and more effects are expected in the near future. Anybody can translate information, though this may lead to distortion of the original information in the process thus the need for professional translators. Therefore, not all translators are professional and not all information available in the translation software are always correct since they are all created by human beings and are likely to have errors, thus a professional translator should be consulted to ensure the correct information is passed on. Translation has therefore become one of the basic language skills in the modern world. Origin of translation Translation is an age-old art that has been practiced since time immemorial. The lack of recognition of translated work may have set a shadow on translation for a very long time until recently when technology started being applied in translation. From the age of evolution translation was used in interpreting signs and drawing on caves and rocks to understand the information written by the early primates. For them to communicate, an understanding of the signs and symbols used was necessary. The primates would later evolve and start communicating through languages. Translation of scripts and other written form of information is traced back to ancient Egypt, where the decrees were written and required, the service of a translator to read the decree for the rulers (Cronin 2013, p.13). The urbanization in moreover, Mesopotamia is linked to the relation between translation and technology. With the move to urban areas, there was a need to develop means of transport to help the new urbanites access basic resources which were available only in the rural areas. With this the wheel and other forms of transport were developed to aid in transport. With time, these means of transport were converted to tools of trade as they were being used for long distance travelling to trade with merchants in other towns. For trade to take place, the traders had to understand each other, thus the translation of the merchants to the local language and culture to aid in communication. With the discovery of computers, translation has evolved to the modern day translation. This has increased access to information in various fields demystifying the knowledge in various fields that were initially assumed to be for professionals only. Culture of translation Translation requires the use of objects that are familiar to the recipient to help them understand the message and relate to it directly using through common objects. This aids in the process of learning where learners are introduced to new ideas using examples that exist within their environment. Thus, translating the message to a form that the learners can easily relate to (Cronin 2013, p.9). Materials written in other languages have received much approval when translated to English language than when it is in its original language (Drugan 2013, p.443). Translation of literally material has enabled the society to appreciate the work of various writers. Most writers are not recognized by their own people who understand the language that the material is originally written with, but with translation, the outside world has had an opportunity to access this work and some of these writers have been recognized in foreign countries unlike in their homeland. The increased access to translated material originally written in native languages has increased access to the cultures of various communities. This has led to cultural appreciation as well as cultural inclusivity worldwide. Technology effect on translation With the new technology, access to information is available across the globe. With a click of a button, any information is accessible. This has worked to demystify knowledge in various fields of professions and bring about localization. Localization is the cultural adaptation and translation of user interfaces, including software application, thus providing internet content in various languages (Osborn 2010, p.1). With the Google search and other search engines, one can search practically any topic of interest. However, the information provided in the results search is not always the final information, thus the need to use logical thinking in decision making. The search gives various results from the given topic, some of which are not valid sources and others having varied information depending on the purpose and background of the study. Improved transport and communication technology has had its effects on translation in modern days. Better means of transport has seen people travel worldwide for various purposes, thus the need for a translator to translate the local language to the visitor in a new place (Godwin 2011, p. 146). Also, for the tourist to enjoy the sights, an interpretation of the various symbols and culture of the place is necessary for the sights make sense. Communication has also enabled the transfer of information across the globe. There is increased used of social media in communication across the world. The context of the conversation may determine the meaning of words and the interpretation of the recipient. Every day, human beings apply translation in their everyday life. Communication is a process where an individual gets information from the sender; translate it before interpreting to understand the message and the context of the information. With the computer technology, there are various software that aid in translation. This is a combination of machine language and graphical user interface that enable the user to communicate through issuing instructions and getting the desired outcome. The various softwares enable the translation of both scientific and numerical and technical information. This may also include the translation from one language to another. Studies in the linguistic fields have enabled the computerization of various vernacular languages, so that a person is able to communicate in their native language and the translating machine works to translate the message into English or any other language that the recipient prefers. The use of computerized translation is also applied in the text to speech translating software that aids the blind in accessing electronic information using the smart phone. This has eliminated the need for human translators to read the written electronic messages for the blind; thus enabling the blind and other physically challenged people to live a normal life. Better use of technology in translation will change the face of translation in the near future with the traditional top-bottom translation being abandoned (Drugan 2013, p.125). This is not to mean that the hierarchical translation is not that important in translation; it is the rigidity in the process that is not desired by the new generation of management. Just like the traditional management system, the top bottom translation follows a hierarchy in translation with clearly set rules of engagement to be adhered to in the process. However, it has a strong point that always ensures the success of this system; the emphasis on quality. The top-bottom depends on quality to identify the best and reward them according to the quality of their work. The mode of selection, though may be questionable due to lack of clear guidelines on the quality determination process. This method of translation has received many critics in its operation. First of all, it is rigid, thus cannot be adjusted to new situations. With this it limits its application in the various fields and the changing technological world. The inefficiencies in their application and management cannot be ignored by the demanding market. Moreover, the process is costly since the management receives funding from the major business of translating thus increasing the cost of their work. The slow response to technological advancement is one more reason for inefficiency of this system. However, for clients who desire quality translation of material, the bottom-up translation is the way to go. Though slow in adapting the new technology, it maximizes on the quality of work produced. The strict-rigid structure of the system also protect the clients from uncertified materials posted by freelancer translators this justifies the high cost of this system. The increasing demand for translation has, however, worked to push the system out of the market with its potential in the near future almost unpredictable. Technology has increased access to translation software and translated material. The increased applications on translation has not only made translation easier, but has significantly reduced the cost of translation to a point that any person can translate any information as desired. This has come with the quality challenge where the quality of the translated work is reduced significantly and measures need to be taken to ensure the best interest of the clients is protected. Bottom –up translation is the new trend in translation, which defies the traditional top-down translation (Dragon 2013, p. 159-160). The users are able to dictate what they need to be translated thus determining supply in the industry and avoid wastages. The top down approach which insist on measuring and control may be irrelevant in the modern market demand for what is measured and controlled may be affected and the content distorted. The small amount of translations of various materials has justified the use of the bottom up approach in translation since the quantity to be translated does not justify the commercialization of the translated material. Thus the end users are able to access translated material at no cost through the various translation tools available on the internet for example Google. With increased demand for translation, there are many job opportunities for translators over the internet, and this is bound to increase in the near future. The work of translation may be of two levels; the normal translation of information from one language to another by an individual who simply understand both languages and the translation of a professional in the particular languages in question. With this comes the quality of translation. The user is therefore free to choose on their preferred translator, depending on the quality of the work they desire. This gives volunteer translators a chance to showcase their translating skills in the open market through the market system. However, this may work to the disadvantage of the user of the information. When an uninformed client gets information from unprofessional translators the information acquired may be misleading due to lack of adherence to translation techniques and misunderstanding of the context of the translation. The freelancer translators are not regulated by any form of regulatory body, thus the increased errors in the translations of freelancer translators. Crowdsourcing is another trend in translation that has been experienced recently and is bound to grow in the near future. This is a trend where many people contribute to the translation of work in various languages, so that there is no real author of the material (Dragon 2013, p. 168). For example, the Mozilla Firefox, which is used worldwide by various languages through the contribution of various translators with the help if the few Mozilla staff. To ensure the success of crowdsourcing, a set of dedicated resources and tools is necessary, such as a translation environment that will enable crowd sourcing. The use of shared resources is also applied here for maximum output at the minimal possible cost. Greater coordination is especially required in micro crowding; that is a large number of contributors working in the same project. Proper coordination will see the success of the micro crowding project. A good support system is also necessary to ensure good quality work, especially by volunteers who are not qualified. This may be in the form of online forums that allows discussion with professionals in translation and sharing ideas with fellow translators. This brings out the different approaches of the traditional top-down approach which discourages discussions and engagement of translators while the bottom-up approach encourages meaningful discussion. The translators are appreciated in their work through the awarding of points and budges to keep them motivated. The motivated translators may work better than the professional translators due to the recognition received. Increased user driven translation such as the user requiring some information translated into their mother tongue or language of choice can be addressed through a Google translation kit which is widely available for free (Drugan 2013, p.171). This facility at times may be used by various users without knowing due to suggestions from the website translation proposal. This ensures the user gets the best quality of translation as most of this information is usually not altered. Fan translation is also another form of translation experienced recently. With most cultural material produced in their native language, it takes a long period of time in years to have the material translated into other languages. With this, the lovers of this culture are known to create gist translation especially of film works. They work together to produce a translated version of the original material through editing the language of the original work and using the original pictures in a foreign language. This serves to entertain fans of this material worldwide without having to wait for the translation of the original material. Hovering over some text using the mouse will lead to unprompted suggestion to translate the text into anther language that is frequently preferred by the user. Facebook also has this feature that enables users read information on Facebook written by other users in foreign languages. Adding Google translators to the website of a business helps translate the information on the website to various languages as desired by the users. This is becoming increasingly useful in the marketing of businesses over the internet thus increasing the market available for the user. The bottom up translation has also enabled the use of self service to translate information in various websites that are partially translated limiting access. Through the customer centric translation, the client is able to access any information in their desired language at a click of a button. Improved technology and resources have led to new and imaginative ways of translating with the quality of translation being affected and more effects being expected in the future (Drugan 2013, p.183). A continuous study of the changing world is therefore important to know the approach the industry is taking to attend to consumer needs. Therefore with the changing approaches in translation on modern world, students need to be trained on various aspects that may be helpful in the industry in the near future. The quality assessment process is one of the deserving aspects to be given attention for quality translation in the near future. With most translation students lacking the skill of quality assessment there is increased emphasis on training in this skill to ensure quality output in translation in the near future to cope with the changing world of translation. The industry expectation of translation has also changed from the traditional rigid ways of translating. New trends are emerging in the translation industry that requires the proper training to fit in and satisfy the expectations of the industry (Taviano 2014, p.164). Areas such as science and research need proper training to be able to translate. Increased collaboration, openness and sharing have forced those in the industry to practice teamwork as part of their translation studies to be able to fit well in the industry. The increased demand for translation in a wide range of languages is not receiving much support from learning institutions. The high payments demanded by the well established institutions in a variety of languages have locked out potential translators in various languages thus denying the industry the demanded labor force. With the limitations set by the industry, new trainers and support from the community may work to ensure training in the various languages is achieved in the near future. Conclusion Translation has been revolutionized with the help of technology. With the response of translation on technological advancement has seen translation move from the age old practice of written translations to the modern day electronic translation. The need for human translators has decreased over time and soon will be overtaken by time. The various forms of translation have made life easier and is expected to be of more help in the near future with the use of intelligent systems that mimic human intelligence in their operation. With this, the physically challenged have benefited with software such as the text to speech which translate written material to speech. Technology has brought with it benefits and challenges alike with the balance between the two required for desired output even in the future. With the increased access to translation, the challenge of the quality of the translated material is inevitable. The translating profession is being overshadowed by the many volunteer and freelancer translators who may not have the professional competence of translating. The use of crowdsourcing has seen this problem addressed with more options for improvement available in future. Crowdsourcing is aiding in the creation of translation in various languages with the aid of various volunteers under the guidance of professionals. Purposes of translation are also increasing with the technology aiding in the experimental use of technology in translation. Creativity is being applied especially by the younger generation in translating information for entertainment purposes. Therefore the contribution of technology in translation cannot go unnoticed and with the ever creative generations coming up, more are expected in the future. Bibliography Cronin M 2013, translation in the digital age, London, Routledge publisher. Drugan, J 2013, Quality in professional translation: assessment and improvement, London, A&C Black publisher. Osborn, D 2010, African languages in a digital age: challenges and opportunities for indigenous language computing, South Africa, Cape Town, HSRC Press. Song, SH, 2011, New challenges of Chinese copyright law under digital age: a comparative copyright analysis of ISP liability, fair use and sports telecasts, The Netherlands, Alphen Aan Den Rijn, Kluwer Law International. Taviano S 2014, english as lingua franca: implication for translator and interpreter education, London, Routledge publisher. Read More