Training tomorrows translators

Jo Drugan, Centre for Translation Studies

www.smlc.leeds.ac.uk/cts

Talk map

1. Background: the context at Leeds University & in the translation industry

2. Problems posed3. Solutions identified & piloted4. Benefits & drawbacks5. Discussion

MA in Applied Translation Studies

! 50-60 PG students per year"50% EU or international"11 languages, including character-based

languages (Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Russian, Arabic)

! Core module: Computer-assisted translation (CAT)

Why CAT?

! Three major developments in the translation industry since 1990s:"New range of more complex text types & file

formats for translation"Massive increase in demand for translation

(globalisation, internet)"Tools to allow new kinds of translation &

more efficient working practices

Translation memory tools

! Not machine translation! Recycle your own & others translations,

avoid repetitive work! Standardisation & increased efficiency! Allow text to be extracted from complex

file formats & translated (localisation)! An example: executable file (*.EXE)

Problems (1)

! Ongoing evolution of industry:"How to monitor whats needed"EU-funded LETRAC study (1999):

Translators do not feel well prepared by their institutions for the real world of work All training institutions have more or less failed to prepare translators for the real market situation by not providing them with the required [computer] skills

Problems (2)

! Graduate skills gap:"How to make sure training equips graduates

for the workplace of tomorrow & 30 yearstime

"Transferable skills & confidence, not simply in-depth knowledge of a few tools

"Critical, comparative reflection

Problems (3)

! Staff skills gap: "How to identify existing staff capable of

learning & communicating complex non-traditional skills & approaches

"How to match pace of industry development "How to maintain & develop staff skills as tools

evolve & become more complex

Solutions (1)

! UTFS support:"Research by award-holder into industry

requirements (EU, ESA, UN, commercial & not-for-profit sectors)

"Curriculum to reflect & foster skills needed" Integrated with EU-funded eCoLoRe project

to provide training materials (www.ecolore.leeds.ac.uk)

Solutions (2)

! Industry involvement in curriculum design & delivery:"Visiting speakers & lecturers" Input to assessment: ESA consultancy" Input to course content: One World Trust

website translation (real world clients)

Solutions (3)

! Recreate industrial context in training environment:"Multilingual team projects: tight deadlines,

range of file formats, project management skills

"Wider range of relevant skills & knowledge: invoicing, planning, technical support

Solutions (4)

! New approaches to staffing:"Team teaching: demonstrators, MA

graduates, industry figures & academics"UTFS funding to design & deliver high-level

staff training"Leeds Rewarding & Developing Staff scheme

Benefits & drawbacks (1)

! Staff:"Ongoing professional development, rewarding"Time, recognition

! Students"Equipped for workplace, range of careers,

reputation of course"Challenging, frustrating, imposed?

Benefits & drawbacks (2)

! Leeds University"Reputation internationally, recruitment"Cost, outside traditional teaching & research

models! Translation industry

"Qualified & critical users, spreading knowledge & skills

"Cost, uneven development

Training tomorrows translators

Any questions?

Training tomorrows translatorsTalk mapMA in Applied Translation StudiesWhy CAT?Translation memory toolsProblems (1)Problems (2)Problems (3)Solutions (1)Solutions (2)Solutions (3)Solutions (4)Benefits & drawbacks (1)Benefits & drawbacks (2)Training tomorrows translators