Databases for Translators
Translation and Free Software
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (THEORY)
´Fulford and Granell-Zafra (2005) argue that in a study of UK, they found that many translators still look sceptical about levels of awareness of translation-specific software and technological tools.
´The Heriot Watt University (2010) supports that “we need to consider with great care the training provision for translators and interpreters. ICT can and must be a key element in the curriculum […] in a way which is consistent and constructive with the development of professional skills.”
´ According to the Heriot Watt University (2010) “ICT promote exchanges and cooperation; the work-space is not limited in time or space, so each learner has more flexibility to work in his own way.”(p.3)
CONTEXTUALIZATION
´The problem was observed in the Foreign Languages Bachelor from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, focused on Translation professional training.
´One of the biggest problems of translators is looking for different meanings of words or common expressions in the target language.
´In a two hours’ class, students only translate two or three paragraphs because they are in trouble with different meanings.
´Dictionaries do not give meanings of colloquial expressions.
´Online translators are out of context.
PURPOSE
- ´Translators can translate more in less time using free software.
´Open Office is going to be used as a Database to facilitate the search of colloquial expressions between target and source language.
Open Office is going to be an excellent tool because:
´ It can be used without internet connection
´ It is not a complicated program.
´People who requires it will be able to modify it, adding new expressions, words and meanings.
OBJECTIVES
- ´Reduce the time that people use in translation from English to Spanish.
- ´Improve the quality of the translations to get a better result in the target language.
APPLICATION DESCRIPTION
´In the class of translation (professional training), students do different translations every week, such as legal texts, songs, poems, scientific vocabulary, etc. All students try to work in team, so this project will be useful as far as students upload it.
´Teacher Judith Navarro is about to start a project of a new book by the publishing house “Texere”. Many students are going to be involved in the process, so this free software will be helpful to develop it “in time”.
RESULTS
ADVENTAGES
- ´Translators can use Open Office without internet connection.
- ´The databases can be opened in cellphones, tablets and computers.
- ´Translators can add terms whenever they want.
- ´They can share their databases with classmates and co-workers.
- ´People can have a database for each language.
DISADVANTAGES
- ´Translators have to update the databases constantly.
- ´There are words that won’t appear.
- ´An online platform cannot be used without internet connection.
REFERENCES
´FULFORD, Heather; GRANELL-ZAFRA, Joaquín. (2005) Translation and Technology: a Study of UK Freelance Translators. Loughborough University. UK.
´HERIOT WATT UNIVERSITY. (2010) ICT for Translation and Interpreting: The Relevance of New Technologies for the Training of Expert Linguists. UK.
