Match evaluation and over-editing in a translation memory environment
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Christopher D. Mellinger
Abstract
Computer-assisted translation (CAT) has been touted as a means of increasing translator productivity and improving translation quality while decreasing the amount of effort required to complete certain translation and localization tasks. Translation memory (TM) tools are among the most prevalent in non-literary translation projects and potentially make the translation process more complex, since their use alters the task environment. To the typical comprehension-transfer-production sub-tasks of translation without a TM are added cross-language evaluation, acceptability decision-making (matching), and possible post-editing. Drawing on Angelone’s (2010) notion of uncertainty management in translation, we explore how professional translators behave when presented with translations proposed by a translation memory system. We argue that the editing behavior observed during an experimental task highlights a mismatch between the proffered TM segment and the participant’s internal conception of what an optimal translation (a match) should be. This mismatch results in a tendency to over-edit.
Abstract
Computer-assisted translation (CAT) has been touted as a means of increasing translator productivity and improving translation quality while decreasing the amount of effort required to complete certain translation and localization tasks. Translation memory (TM) tools are among the most prevalent in non-literary translation projects and potentially make the translation process more complex, since their use alters the task environment. To the typical comprehension-transfer-production sub-tasks of translation without a TM are added cross-language evaluation, acceptability decision-making (matching), and possible post-editing. Drawing on Angelone’s (2010) notion of uncertainty management in translation, we explore how professional translators behave when presented with translations proposed by a translation memory system. We argue that the editing behavior observed during an experimental task highlights a mismatch between the proffered TM segment and the participant’s internal conception of what an optimal translation (a match) should be. This mismatch results in a tendency to over-edit.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Reembedding translation process research. An introduction 1
- A neuroscientific toolkit for translation studies 21
- Writing vs. translating 47
- Investigating the ergonomics of a technologized translation workplace 69
- Quality and translation process research 89
- Can emotion stir translation skill? Defining the impact of positive and negative emotions on translation performance 107
- Match evaluation and over-editing in a translation memory environment 131
- Cognitive efficiency in translation 149
- Towards a cognitive audiovisual translatology 171
- Cognitive aspects of community interpreting. Toward a process model 195
- Index 215
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Reembedding translation process research. An introduction 1
- A neuroscientific toolkit for translation studies 21
- Writing vs. translating 47
- Investigating the ergonomics of a technologized translation workplace 69
- Quality and translation process research 89
- Can emotion stir translation skill? Defining the impact of positive and negative emotions on translation performance 107
- Match evaluation and over-editing in a translation memory environment 131
- Cognitive efficiency in translation 149
- Towards a cognitive audiovisual translatology 171
- Cognitive aspects of community interpreting. Toward a process model 195
- Index 215
