12 The Linguist Vol/57 No/5 2018
ciol.org.uk/tl
FEATURES
in their normal working environment, we can
better understand how factors such as poor
office layout, irritating CAT (computer-
assisted translation) tool features and time
pressure impact on their performance.
The settings that translators and other
professional linguists work in differ in many
respects, but many share a heavy reliance on
language technology. The centrality of
technology to the modern translation
workplace is amply demonstrated by the
latest language industry report by Elia (the
European Language Industry Association).
1
Nevertheless, some noticeable differences
exist in the ways technology is used by the
various types of users involved in producing
translations: language service providers
(LSPs), freelancers, institutions, in-house
translation departments, broadcasters and
non-profit organisations. The use of language
technology has resulted in impressive
productivity gains, but some aspects of
technology can disturb the translation process,
hampering efficiency and limiting creativity.
Testing the effect of translation technology
is best done in collaboration with users at
their workplaces, rather than in the artificial
setting of a laboratory, where distortions are
likely to be caused by unfamiliar settings,
keyboards or screen layouts.
How cutting-edge workplace research can help to
improve working conditions for professional linguists.
By Maureen Ehrensberger-Dow & Gary Massey
O
nce largely focused on problem-
solving and translation products,
translation research is transitioning to
cover a broader interest in the organisational
and societal conditions in which translators
work. For a number of years, research
techniques have been tested and used in the
laboratory to measure, quantify and describe
language processing. Many of these, such as
logging translators' keystrokes, recording what
is happening on their computer screens and
tracking their eye movements as they work,
are now also deployed in the workplace to
examine the complex realities of professional
translation. By studying professional linguists
Watch and learn
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