I recently read the claim that many translators hate translation technology. In my experience, this is simply not true – in fact, many love it. Here are some of the reasons why.

We love tools that enable us to translate more effectively

Translators have always used technology to support the process of translation. We have speedy laptops and desktop computers with plenty of power to run the many software programs that we use.

Many translators have amazing office setups with multiple screens and the latest translation technology applications. We use computer-aided translation (CAT) tools to keep track of terminology, ensure consistency in our work and improve quality control. These tools are not cheap but, as professional translators, we know that they are well worth the investment.

We love tools that help speed up our processes

The technology that we use helps us translate faster and be more productive. CAT tools can speed up the process of translation, especially when used with speech recognition technology. These days, many tech-savvy translators dictate their translations via a headset directly into their translation tool, taking full advantage of the latest technology.

We love tools that help people communicate across language barriers

Most translators are absolutely delighted with the incredible opportunities that are available now to communicate across language barriers. Free online translation has made it much easier for businesses to find possible partners and customers around the world. These businesses are our customers, and we are glad that they are now more able to make connections internationally across cultures and languages. Businesses that use free online translation also quickly see the limitations of machine translation, and understand that human translation is necessary for their key business communications. This is good news for translators working in this segment of the market. More.

See: Between Translations

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