Unlike so many others, the language industry - comprising translation, localisation and interpreting services as well as language teaching - is not only surviving the current recession but is actually reporting healthy levels of growth. Indeed, a recent study estimated that the language industry in the EU will be worth 16.5 billion euros by 2016. One of the reasons for this growth has been the industry’s continued ability to innovate and adapt, combining new technologies with human linguistic expertise to meet clients’ needs. The use of new technology and software makes the language industry an exciting one to be a part of, so we thought we’d showcase a couple of the most important pieces of technology in our field:
Computer-Assisted Translation
As our recent blog post noted, Machine Translation is a contentious issue in the language industry, offering a quick-fix solution which often results in dangerously unreliable translations. However, Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, in which computer software is used to support and facilitate the translation process, is very much here to stay. CAT tools such as Trados, Déjà Vu and OmegaT allow translators to store previously translated texts in a database and then retrieve related segments, or ‘units’, during the translation of new texts. This means that translators will not need to translate the same unit more than once, saving them time and effort and allowing them to pass these savings on to their clients. CAT tools continue to develop and become more sophisticated and we at TransAction recognise just how important they are in the process of our daily work.
Optical Character Recognition
We often receive documents in formats that can’t be immediately edited, such as hard copies and PDFs. In order to translate these documents we first need to extract the relevant text so that we can then edit it according to our clients’ needs. Thankfully, to do this we have Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, which scans hard copies, PDFs and image files, recognises the characters that make up the words and sentences, and then converts them into editable text files. Quite simply, we are able to take documents in a range of formats, process them using OCR software and then get to work on the files using word processing software or CAT tools. We are then able to reproduce your translated document, complete with graphics such as stamps or signatures, with a high degree of accuracy. Our OCR systems can read text in a large variety of fonts, although there can still be occasional difficulties with handwritten text. These tools allow you to send us documents in most formats, letting us manage the entire process of formatting your documents, translating your text and reproducing your documents as needed.
Finally, although not strictly part of the translation industry, we couldn’t let this post pass without mentioning an exciting new development in language learning:
Verbling
How often have you been told that the best way to learn a language is to practise with native speakers? And, with the constraints of modern life, how often do most people actually get the chance to do that? Well, all that is about to change thanks to Verbling. Verbling has been described as a “Chat Roulette for language learners”, allowing language learners from across the globe to interact through video chat. You simply log on, state what your native language is, what language you are learning and what level you are at. You are then put into video contact with a native speaker of the language you want to learn. So if you speak Spanish and want to learn English, you’ll be paired up with a native English speaker who wants to learn Spanish. You talk for 5 minutes in your native language, and for 5 minutes in theirs. You can discuss anything you choose, but if you find yourselves pressed for topics, Verbling provides a list compiled by Stanford University professors. An exciting step forward in e-learning…
It is clear that the future of the language industry is bright, and will be strongly facilitated by technological development. However, for translation companies and freelancers it is also important to remember that language, and therefore also the language industry, is ultimately driven by human interaction. For a free quote from a translation company that puts the client at the centre of everything they do, contact TransAction.
