Technology in the translation field is moving so fast, and the company or translator must cope with the most recent technology to get work done in the easiest, fastest, and most effective way.
Using technology is not an option in translation; actually, it is a must. Most companies make it mandatory for their teams to use their technology that makes their work the most perfect possible.
Companies also do not have the option to ignore such technology, if they do so, then they will be behind the market, and other companies will overcome them and take their market share.
For translators, also ignoring the latest technology will cost them losing possible work, and they will end-up behind their peers, which will not be acceptable for a professional who is seeking high levels in translation work.
In addition, usage of translation technology is mandatory for both professional translators and companies seeking world-class levels in a continuous moving international market.
Preparing ourselves for every new technology in translation is the key factor of success in this very promising career.
After knowing the importance of using technology in the translation profession, how we could know what to use between all the available technology in the market? And what we exactly need? Also, what is the perfect training that we must take, and where? All these questions are very important and we must ask before deciding, as they will affect our performance and results.
First of all, why we need this technology or that will be the main reason to decide?
For companies, this decision will be determined by the nature of every project as we have different types of projects and aims.
For most of the translation work, it will be essential to use CAT-Tools in all projects, as they give us the ability to have the same design, font, size and appearance of the original source, whether it is a book, flyer, website, certificate, catalogue, contract and similar documents. Also, it will be easier to track all the whole process through the same software all the team use, passing from a stage to another, using the same Translation Memory in all the project.
Additionally, this will enable us to have the quality needed by tracking the quality process and phases from the same software.
For translators, it will be essential to learn and use CAT-Tools, as most translation companies require to use a certain tool in their projects; therefore, get yourself ready for these projects by having the right training in a reputable academy or institution having a wide experience in this kind of technology. If the same company is offering a training for the tool they use, it will be ideal for getting this training as it will have double benefits for you, and gives you the priority when you apply for this position presenting the training certificate you got from them.
The next step for you will be applying what you have learned in these courses, starting with any document that you have so that you know how to deal with such technology, and looking for answers for all your questions that will arise from actual work on the software. Your performance and experience will get better with every document you will finish, and you will reach the high level you need to get more actual work.
Another type of work that needs a different technology is video translation, called subtitling. It needs special software for every stage starting from transcription, timecoding, translation, revision, editing, proofreading, quality assurance, then montage work changing the screen writings from language to another and mastering the whole video with the subtitles produced to get the translation shown in the screen as you see finally.
Another interesting type is mobile apps translation, where we use a special software to get the same aspects, appearance, order and functions in each language. Moving as well from one phase to another to reach the needed quality.
It is a wide field to talk about, and this was a very little overview of this interesting topic.
By: Hossam Ash-Sharkawi
Chairman Al-Andalus Group LTD
