Information Technology for Translation

Code:

MTSL012

Acronym:

ITRA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Informatics

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://web.letras.up.pt/egalvao/
Responsible unit:	Department of Anglo-American Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Master of Arts in Translation and Language Services

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEAL	0	Study Plan	1	-	6	60	162
MTSL	26	MTSL - Study Plan	1	-	6	60	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

The objective of this class is to familiarize students with some of the main software applications they will be using as translators and language service providers, such as CAT tools (both commercial and open access), Translation Memories (TM), Machine Translation systems (MT), and some subtitling software. 

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Students who successfully complete this class will:

• Be able to use the main functionalities of both commercial and free downloadable Computer Assisted Translation tools such as SDL TRADOS 2007, TagEditor, SDLX, SDL Trados Studio 2009 and 2011, MemoQ, Wordfast, and Omega T.

• Be able to create translation memories by aligning original and translated files using aligning tools such as WinAlign.

• Be able to use free downloadable subtitling software such as Subtitle Workshop and Subtitle Edit, as well as demo versions of some professional subtitling software such as Wincaps.

• Be able to produce small terminological databases.

• Be able to produce small comparable or parallel corpora.

• Be familiar with some of the multiple resources for translators and language service providers available on the Internet, including professional translator websites and forums.

• Be familiar with the main machine translation systems available on the Internet such as Google Translate.

• Be able to produce quotations for translation projects.

• Be familiar with the most important concepts and tasks in translation project management.

• Be familiar with the most important notions in software localization.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Reasonable knowledge of operating systems and main applications.

Language skills.

Ability to work in a group.

Program

- Translation as service and the European Standard for translation service providers (EN 15038);

- The translation market and the translation profession (skills, knowledge, personal characteristics);

- Translation and other language services from the point of view of translation service providers (TSPs) (free lancers, companies, institutions, agencies);

-  Translation and other language services from the clients' point of view (individuals, companies, institutions);

- Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools : main features and differences; potentials and limitations; consequences of their use (for translators and for translation as process and product); stand-alone and add-ons CAT tools;

- CAT tools and the various stages in the translation process (pre-translation, translation and post-translation);

- SDL Trados Studio 2011, SDL Trados 2007, SDLX; demo versions of other CAT tools (Wordfast, DejaVu, Memo Q, etc.);

- Translation Memories (TM);

- Terminological databases;

- Aligning tools (Winalign);

- Machine Translation (types, potentials and limitations);

- Online resources for translators and language service providers;

- How to search the Internet to solve problems with terminology, phraseology, style, etc.;

- Corpora and translation.

Mandatory literature

Austermühl, Frank; Electronic Tools for Translators, Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 2001
Esselink, Bert; A Practical Guide to Localization, John Benjamins BV (English Edition), 2000
Samuelsson-Brown, Geoffrey; A Practical Guide for Translators (5th Edition), Bristol, Buffalo, Toronto: Multilingual Matters, 2010
Risku, Anna; The Role of Technology in Translation Management in Doubts and Directions in Translation Studies , Amsterdam: Benjamins, 2007
Choudhury, Rahzeb and Brian McConnell; Translation Technology Landscape Report, TAUS BV, De Rijp, The Netherlands. (Feb. 2013)

Teaching methods and learning activities

Hands-on approach with a series of exercises and tasks to be carried out individually and in working groups in and out of class. 

The first class of the week will include a short lecture on different topics and aspects of information technology for translation and language services, followed by hands-on exercises.

The second class will be devoted to practising what was learnt in the first class as well as to tutorial sessions with smaller groups of students (8-10), whose work will be closely monitored.

Software

SDL Trados Studio 2011
WinCaps (Demo Version)
Subtitle Workshop
SDL TRADOS 2007
SDLX
Tag Editor
TRADOS Winalign
Omega T
Wordfast

keywords

Physical sciences > Computer science > Informatics > Applied informatics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	0,00
Prova oral	20,00
Teste	60,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	20,00
Estudo autónomo	35,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de investigação	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	31,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are required to attend 75% of classes, unless otherwise agreed.

Calculation formula of final grade

Theoretical component: 40% of the final grade Practical component: 60% of the final grade.

Examinations or Special Assignments

To be announced at the beginning of the semester (if applicable).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable

Classification improvement

Students wishing to improve their final grade will have to repeat some of the assessment components.

Observations

Language of instruction: English and Portuguese.