82021 - Computer-Assisted Translation and Web Localization (CL1)

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Specialized translation (cod. 9174)

Learning outcomes

The student - knows and is able to use effectively the main digital resources for file management and computer-assisted translation; has insights into the methodological and technological aspects of software and web localization - is able to devise, manage and evaluate complex projects dealing with computer-assisted translation, linguistic adaptation and web localization, involving several professionals and a variety of skills and competences, in a way that is consistent with professional ethics - is able to acquire higher-level knowledge and competences in the areas of translation technology and localization independently, and to apply them to novel fields

Course contents

The "Computer-Assisted Translation and Web Localization" (CatLoc) module is delivered in the second semester and is one of the three modules that make up the "Translation Technology and methods" course, together with "Terminology and Information Mining" (TerMine), held by Prof. Adriano Ferraresi during the first semester, and "Machine Translation and Post-editing" (MatPed), held during the second semester by myself.

The CatLoc module itself has two components, one dealing with computer assisted translation and the other with localization, 20 hours each.

The first part offers a theoretical introduction to the notion of computer-assisted translation. Subsequently some of the most common CAT tools are presented (SDL Trados, MemoQ, OmegaT), proprietary and open source. In particular, the module focuses on the translation of different file formats, the creation and managing of translation memories and the quality assurance of target texts (QA check). In this module is also presented the management of complex translation projects including other professionals (project management).

The second part offers a theoretical introduction to the notion of localization and related concepts such as internationalization and globalization, particularly as they impinge on the role of the translator within complex workflows including other professionals with advanced ICT skills. One area is focused upon in particular, namely the localization of web contents, which seems especially relevant professionally.

In both parts, methods and resources presented during the TermMine module will be exploited.

Readings/Bibliography

During lessons based on theoretical aspects, the teacher will be using the following bibliographical references:

Austermühl, F. (2006). Training translators to localize. In Pym, A. et al., editors, pages 69–82.

Bowker, L., (2002). “Computer-Aided Translation Technology. A Practical Introduction”. University of Ottawa Press

Bowker, Lynne, (2005). “Productivity vs. Quality? A pilot study on the impact of translation memory systems”. Localisation Focus 4:1. 13-20.

Cappelli, G. (2008). The translation of tourism-related websites and localization: Problems and perspectives. In Baicchi, A., editor, Voices on translation, RILA Rassegna Italiana di Linguistica Applicata, pages 97–115. Bulzoni Editore, Roma.

Cevoli, M. & S. Alasia, (2012). “Guida completa a OmegaT”. Badalona: Qabiria.

Dunne, K. J., editor (2006). Perspectives on Localization. Benjamins, Amsterdam and Philadelphia.

Esselink, B. (2000). A practical guide to localization. Benjamins, Amsterdam and Philadelphia.

Esselink, B. (2006). The evolution of localization. In Pym, A. et al., editors, pages 21–30.

Felber H., (1984). “Terminology Manual”, Infoterm-UNESCO

FOSS Localization/Introduction . Online: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Localization/Introduction

Garcia, I., (2009). “Beyond translation memory: computers and the professional translator”. The Journal of Specialised Translation 12: 199-214.

Jiménez-Crespo, M.A., (2016). “What is (not) web localization in translation studies”. The Journal of Internationalization and Localization, Volume 3, Issue 1.

Lecci, C. & E. Di Bello, (2012). “Usare la traduzione assistita [http://www.clueb.com/servlet/SchedaArticolo?cat_id=3636] ”. Bologna: CLUEB

Lewis, D., Curran, S., Doherty, G., Feeney, K., Karamanis, N., Luz, S., and McAuley, J. (2009). Supporting flexibility and awareness in localisation workflows. The International Journal of Localisation, 8(1):29–38. Online: http://www.localisation.ie/resources/locfocus/LF_Vol_8_Issue_1.pdf

McDonough, D. J. (2010). (Re)imagining Canada: Projecting Canada to Canadians through localized websites. Translation Studies , 3(3):302–317.

Microsoft. (2012) Verso la globalizzazione: Panoramica sulla localizzazione. Online: http://msdn.microsoft.com/it-it/goglobal/bb688139

O'Connor, A., Lawless, S., Zhou, D., Jones, G. J., and Wade, V. (2009). Applying digital content management to support localisation. The International Journal of Localisation, 8(1):39–52. Online: http://www.localisation.ie/resources/locfocus/LF_Vol_8_Issue_1.pdf

Pierini, P. (2007). Quality in web translation: An investigation into UK and Italian tourism web sites. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 8:85–103. Online: http://www.localisation.ie/resources/locfocus/LF_Vol_8_Issue_1.pdf

Pym, A. (2004). The moving text: Localization, translation and distribution. Benjamins, Amsterdam and Philadelphia.

Pym, A. (2011). Website localization. In Malmkjaer, K. and Windle, K., editors, The Oxford handbook of translation studies, pages 410–424. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Online: http://usuaris.tinet.cat/apym/on-line/translation/2009_website_localization_feb.pdf

Pym, A., Perekrestenko, A., and Starink, B., editors (2006). Translation technology and its teaching. Intercultural Studies Group, Tarragona. Online: http://isg.urv.es/library/papers/isgbook.pdf

Ryan, L., Anastasiou, D., and Cleary, Y. (2009). Using content development guidelines to reduce the cost of localising digital content. The International Journal of Localisation, 8(1):11–28. Online: http://www.localisation.ie/resources/locfocus/LF_Vol_8_Issue_1.pdf

Yamada, M., 2011. “The effect of translation memory databases on productivity”. In A. Pym (ed), Translation Research Projects 3. Tarragona: Intercultural Studies Group. 63-73.

Teaching methods

Lessons take the form of workshops covering theoretical aspects as well as devoting substantial space to documentation and localization practice.

Theoretical contents are acquired through presentations by the lecturer and, when relevant, readings assigned to the students during the course. Their acquisition is tested by means of individual and small group reports to the class, as well as in the final examination.

The applied part consists of hands-on practice in the lab and homework exercises. These are discussed during troubleshooting sessions in the following class, so as to constantly monitor progress in the development of the technological skills that make the object of the course.

Attendance is compulsory (at least 70% of lessons need to be attended).

Assessment methods

The final exam lasts overall two hours and consists in a practical test on CAT - e.g. the creation of translation projects and/or packages - lasting one hour (50% of the mark for the module) and a practical test lasting one hour on localization - e.g. the localization of a webpage - (remaining 50% of the mark for the module). 

Both tests must be at least fair and are assessed in marks out of thirty. Serious errors (lack of requirements indicated in the instructions provided) cause the subtraction of two points, less serious errors (wrong settings of the tools used) the subtraction of one point, distractions the subtraction of 0,5 points.

The exam takes place in a laboratory during the examination sessions.

The final mark of the "Translation Technology and methods" course will be calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the TerMine, CatLoc and MatPed modules.

The final marks are published a few days later through the Moodle platform.

Teaching tools

Lessons are held in a computer lab with internet connection and beamer.

Since lessons take the form of workshops, with substantial time devoted to pratical hands-on exercises, students have the possibility to become acquainted with the main software programs used in the fields of CAT and localization, both proprietary and open-source/free.

Support materials (sample texts, slides, project files, instructions etc.) are made available through the Moodle e-learning platform.

Links to further information

http://moodle.sslmit.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=1115

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Lecci