Introductory description

Making efficient use of translation technologies is increasingly important for professionals working in the language and localisation industries. This module introduces key concepts related to computer-assisted translation and machine translation, explores how these technological advancements are changing the professional landscape and provide students with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills to make proficient use of technologies to develop their professional careers in the dynamic translation and localisation market. The module explores translation technologies within a broader assessment of the impact of automation on the work of translators and the future of work.

The module follows a strong hands-on and applied approach to translation technologies. Students will engage with a wide array of technological tools to translate texts, but also process and manipulate translation-related data. Through practical exercises mirroring real-life scenarios, students will acquire an understanding of the technologies and how they can be successfully integrated into translation workflows, thus allowing them to design and critically evaluate their implementation.

This module will feature state-of-the-art translation tools (such as translation memories, machine translation systems, speech recognition, work management, and terminology management applications) to allow students to plan, coordinate, and develop different types of translation tasks, including translation and revision, post-editing, project planning and management, budgeting, quality assessment, self-assessment, and teamwork.

Students will also learn about the different roles and stages involved in translation projects, allowing them to sharpen their skills to undertake different types of roles in their careers, while also equipping them with the transferrable skills that will allow them to face new and always-changing technological tools

Additionally, the module will provide students with opportunities (shadowing or volunteering) to engage with Language Service Providers or organisations through an optional work-experience component. This exercise will allow students to apply and expand their translation technologies skills and knowledge.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module aims to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to efficiently use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and to evaluate the benefits of their implementation in professional settings. Through the practical use of CAT resources and drawing on cutting-edge research, students will be able to engage with different translation scenarios and complete tasks that will help them understand the role of technologies and automation in the day-to-day lives of language professionals.

The module will combine lectures, seminars, and two mandatory translation-technology clinics. Students will engage and process different text types to complete translation, revision, and post-editing tasks. The students will also learn about how to plan and set up projects, define a translation workflow, assign different tasks, manage translation-data resources (translation memories, terminology databases, glossaries), conduct quality assurance evaluations, and communicate with different agents in the translation project.

The module relies on a strong hands-on approach, with weekly tasks and exercises: it will integrate video tutorials, reading instructions and independent research tasks. The focus on practical expertise demands a significant amount of guided independent work. To support this, the module offers a variety of forums, group discussions and exercises that encourage collaborative work and formative peer assessment.

Classes will take the form of workshops and lectures, including the review of independent work and additional feedback. The classes will be supported by two mandatory translation technology clinics. These clinics are student-led and geared towards individual consultation and consolidation.

Indicative module syllabus*
Session 1: Introduction to translation technologies and translation projects
Session 2: Databases and translation memories
Session 3: Student-led translation technology clinic
Session 4: Machine translation and post-editing
Session 5: Terminology, quality assurance and risk management
Session 6: Student-led translation technology clinic
Session 7: Translation technology and industry roles

The module might include extracurricular guest lectures by experts in translation and localisation organised as part of the yearly Translation and Transcultural Studies events. Drop-in sessions and office and consultation hours are encouraged.

Optional work-experience component: the module provides students with the opportunity to complete an optional work-experience activity. Students could participate in a shadowing scheme with a Language Service Provider or engage in volunteer translation activities so that they can apply their newly acquired skills in a real-life situation.

• This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Critically assess and efficiently implement computer-assisted translation tools in professional settings to complete translation projects
• Engage critically with the developments of translation technology and their impact on the profession, recognising the benefits and shortcomings of the systems
• Perform different roles involved in translation projects to understand how professional translation and localisation projects develop and reflect on different career opportunities for language professionals
• Critically reflect on the intersections between translation practices, translation technologies and the future of work
• Develop critical awareness, analytical and written skills at MA level
• Reflect critically on the influence of technologies and automation on the translation profession and the working conditions of language specialists.
• Develop key transferable skills including effective and efficient communication, self-motivation, self-reliance, co-operation, and time and information management. 
• Successfully conceive, plan, and deliver their coursework and portfolio tasks to advanced academic standards within the specified deadline.

Indicative reading list

Angelone, E., Ehrensberger-Dow, M., & Massey, G. (Eds.). (2019). The Bloomsbury companion to language industry studies. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Bowker, Lynne, and Jairo Buitrago Ciro. (2019). Machine translation and global research: Towards improved machine translation literacy in the scholarly community. Emerald Group Publishing.
Castilho, Sheila, Stephen Doherty, Federico Gaspari, and Joss Moorkens. (2018). "Approaches to human and machine translation quality assessment." Translation quality assessment: From principles to practice. 9-38.
Gouadec, D. (2007). Translation as a Profession. Translation as a Profession, 1-429.
Jiménez-Crespo, M. A. (2013). Translation and web localization. Routledge.
Kenny, Dorothy, (2017) ed. Human issues in translation technology. London and New York: Routledge.
Mitchell-Schuitevoerder, R. (2020). A project-based approach to translation technology. Routledge.
O'Hagan, Minako, (2020) ed. The Routledge handbook of translation and technology. Routledge.

Research element

Students will choose the topics for their portfolio reflections and tailor their own projects integrating independent research components.

Interdisciplinary

The module will explore translation technologies from within Translation Studies but rely on developments from computer science, business and management.

International

All modules delivered in SMLC are necessarily international. Students engage with themes and ideas from a culture other than that of the UK and employ their linguistic skills in the analysis of primary materials from a non-Anglophone context. Students will also be encouraged to draw on the experiences of visiting exchange students in the classroom and will frequently engage with theoretical and critical frameworks from across the world. Students on this module will be exposed to theoretical approaches and case studies from a broad global context.

Subject specific skills

This module will develop students’ technological skills and awareness and enable them to understand foundational concepts that foreground the relationship between translation, technologies and automation. Through the practical use of CAT tools and comprehensive discussions about the translation industry and translation studies research, the students will be able to appreciate current developments in the professional world of translation and the language professions and will be ready to critically engage with the market upon graduation.

Transferable skills

All SMLC culture modules demand critical and analytical engagement with artefacts from non-Anglophone cultures. In the course of independent study, class work and assessment students will develop the following skills: written and oral communication, creative and critical thinking, problem-solving and analysis, time management and organisation, independent research in both English and their target language(s), intercultural understanding and the ability to mediate between languages and cultures, ICT literacy in both English and the target language(s), personal responsibility and the exercise of initiative.