Computer-aided translation as a distributed cognitive task
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Barbara Dragsted
Abstract
The present article examines the potential effects on the translation process of working interactively with a translation memory (TM) system, a tool for storing and sharing previous translations. A TM system automatically divides the source text into sentences presented to the translator one-by-one. Based on observations made in an empirical study of six professional translators and six translation students, it is argued that full sentences do not constitute a central cognitive processing category in translation, and that the sentence-by-sentence presentation inherent in TM systems therefore creates an unnaturally strong focus on the sentence, which affects the very task of translation (as well as the translation product). Particular attention is given to the impact of the use of TM systems on the informants’ revision behaviour and their tendency to change the sentence structure.
Abstract
The present article examines the potential effects on the translation process of working interactively with a translation memory (TM) system, a tool for storing and sharing previous translations. A TM system automatically divides the source text into sentences presented to the translator one-by-one. Based on observations made in an empirical study of six professional translators and six translation students, it is argued that full sentences do not constitute a central cognitive processing category in translation, and that the sentence-by-sentence presentation inherent in TM systems therefore creates an unnaturally strong focus on the sentence, which affects the very task of translation (as well as the translation product). Particular attention is given to the impact of the use of TM systems on the informants’ revision behaviour and their tendency to change the sentence structure.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- About the authors ix
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Introduction
- Offloading cognition onto cognitive technology 1
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Articles
- A framework for thinking about distributed cognition 25
- Distributed cognition: Domains and dimensions 45
- Distributed cognition: A methodological note 57
- Radical changes in cognitive process due to technology: A jaundiced view 71
- The grounding and sharing of symbols 83
- Collaborative tagging as distributed cognition 93
- Thinking in groups 99
- Distributed learning and mutual adaptation 117
- Distributed cognition, representation, and affordance 137
- Categorization and technology innovation 145
- Crime scene investigation as distributed cognition 159
- Web Search engines and distributed assessment systems 185
- Speech transformation solutions 207
- Computer-aided translation as a distributed cognitive task 237
- Index 257
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- About the authors ix
-
Introduction
- Offloading cognition onto cognitive technology 1
-
Articles
- A framework for thinking about distributed cognition 25
- Distributed cognition: Domains and dimensions 45
- Distributed cognition: A methodological note 57
- Radical changes in cognitive process due to technology: A jaundiced view 71
- The grounding and sharing of symbols 83
- Collaborative tagging as distributed cognition 93
- Thinking in groups 99
- Distributed learning and mutual adaptation 117
- Distributed cognition, representation, and affordance 137
- Categorization and technology innovation 145
- Crime scene investigation as distributed cognition 159
- Web Search engines and distributed assessment systems 185
- Speech transformation solutions 207
- Computer-aided translation as a distributed cognitive task 237
- Index 257
