O’Hagan Minako, Ashworth David. Translation-mediated Communication in a Digital World: Facing the Challenges of Globalization and Localization

Multilingual Matters Ltd, 2002. — 168 pages. — (Topics in Translation). — ISBN: 1-85359-581-0; ISBN: 1-85359-580-2The process of recreating Web sites in specified language versions is known as Web localization, and it is the fastest-growing area in the translation sector today. The term ‘localization’ was originally applied to creating regional versions of computer software. The software localizer works directly with the computer language or code in which the software is written, and therefore must have sufficient knowledge to be able to communicate effectively with the client engineers, and to be involved in testing of the localized products. Similarly, with Web site localization, it is necessary to be able to work with HTML, XML and other kinds of formatting tags, including multimedia components such as JPEG images and RealAudio files.The traditional forms of language support we have known as translation and interpretation are faced with new challenges that come from the new contexts for human communication and interactions afforded by technology.1 Furthermore, new modes of communication over the Internet are continuing to develop: from static text on computer screens, to short messages on cell phone displays and personal digital assistants, from e−mail to synchronous chat in text or voice. Some of these forms of communication resemble those of the age of the typewriter and the fax machine, but many also incorporate animation, video and other forms of multimedia. The core difference lies in the shift to the digital world which affords all kinds of flexibility in electronic processing.This multiplicity of types of electronic documents defines a new kind of literacy, variously called electronic or digital literacy. Electronic documents follow a digital life cycle, which is different from the process involved in paper-based contents. Certain contents such as multimedia or voice mail are created electronically from beginning to end, often in forms that would not be possible otherwise. Very large manuals for the operation of equipment such as aircraft, tractors and other heavy equipment, most of which are subject to regular updating, are now published in digital format, be it CD-ROM or online distribution. This in turn allows the use of computer based translation tools such as translation memory (TM), which compares a new source text against its previous version and allows recycling of previous translations for the applicable portion. In this way, electronic documents have a great compatibility with language engineering.Setting the Scene
Translation and Interpretation in Transition: Serving the Digital World.
Redefining Context for Teletranslation and Teleinterpretation.
Technologies Enabling Teletranslation
Language Engineering and the Internet.
Computer-mediated Communication and Translation.
Globalization and Localization: Culturalization of Content and Package.
Emerging Domains of Translation Practice
Teletranslation.
Teleinterpretation.
Future Tense
Virtual Communities for Translators and Interpreters.
Global Information Society and the New Paradigm of Language Support.
New Paradigm of Translation and Interpretation.