Undoubtedly, technology has reshaped our world and our society. We rarely write each other letters as there’s an email or social media for that. We might not even travel physically as virtual journeys have managed to become popular during the coronavirus pandemic. We might not go to the office to work as, essentially, most of the conditions can be met from the comforts of our homes. For the past couple of years technology largely reshaped many industries, largely broadening the capabilities of millions of workers. And some of them are translators.
The Machine and the Translation
The importance of modern technology in translation simply cannot be overestimated enough. Language specialists are now capable of much more than they were just some ten years ago. With the means that digital technology and the internet offer today, translators are able to do much more work in a shorter period of time, thus, increasing their revenue and capabilities of growing by numbers. However, some people might sometimes underestimate the modern technology designed for translation, professional or not, and provide rather ridiculous claims.
Some would say that machine translation is essentially useless, which is very far from the truth as lots of translators use professional digital tools to improve their work. On the other hand, claims about the inevitable death of translators as an occupation are no less silly as there are still such concepts as professional localization that should be executed under the control of a human expert.
5 Ways Technology Helped Translation Process
To understand the value that modern technology provides to translators and people who need translation, it’s essentially important to understand what technology offers for translation. Here are just a few examples of how technology works for and along with translation.
- Technology makes translation fast.
Without a doubt, this is the most sensed benefit that modern technology offers to the translation process. Regardless of the final purpose of the translation digital tool, the translation process certainly becomes much faster with it. Whether it is a translation memory tool that a professional language specialist uses in their work, or a simple app to translate a road sign, digital translation means they undoubtedly accelerate everything.
2. Technology makes translation accessible.
With modern tech, translation is available literally anytime, anywhere, and for anybody. If earlier you would need to carry a few books with you to understand what’s written everywhere in another country or even take a living interpreter, everything you need now fits in your pocket. Just check out how to find the most suitable translation app to help you in your travels, and you’ll be good to go. It’s important to only keep your gadget with you all the time.
3. Technology makes translation more precise.
Regardless of what people might say online, machine translation actually makes the translation more and more precise as the technology develops. Just check out how this happens in “How is artificial intelligence challenging the translation industry?” and see for yourself that technology does have quite a few cards up its sleeve. Nothing to worry about really, but it really shows how we advance in the digital direction.
4. Technology makes translation more profitable.
As you have the technology that helps your translator do their job much faster and with less effort, you have a strong potential to generate a much greater profit. Just a few decades ago an average translator would complete a translated page in a much longer time interval than they would now. This may result in a much more massive production than ever before, thus, with everybody benefiting from it.
5. Technology makes translation possible.
Exactly due to the internet and online platforms that connect customers with translators, more translations happen every day than ever. Modern technology provides people with more opportunities, with the translation industry not being an exception in this regard at all.
The Endless Synergy
Perhaps, it’s just that we need more time to comprehend the fact that modern technology and machines have become our full-time assistants in all occupations, industries, and forms of activity. Computers wouldn’t have existed without humans, yet they were created exactly to help us complete tasks that take our attention from things that are more important. So, there’s no point in trying to deny the purpose given to the machines in the first place and embrace all the changes they bring, no matter where those changes apply and how uncomfortable they might seem initially.
BIO: Elizabeth Baldridge never misses an opportunity to travel to acquire some new experiences for the material she writes. In spite of all constraints, she always finds a way to see a new place and get herself into a new context. Travel along with Elizabeth, for what she writes has its place somewhere in this world.
