1. The study explores how professional translators interact with translation tools when post-editing translation proposals in an environment that combines translation memory (TM) and machine translation (MT).
2. The concordance feature is the preferred resource for translators when post-editing TM and MT matches, but it can also be an instance of cognitive friction, disrupting translators' technology-aided cognitive processes.
3. The study highlights the need for further research on translator-computer interaction (TCI) to prepare students for a future where interaction with translation tools is an integral part of translation.
The article "Is the concordance feature the new black? A workplace study of translators interaction with translation resources while post-editing TM and MT matches" by Kristine Bundgaard and Tina Paulsen Christensen presents a workplace study of seven professional translators at a Danish Language Service Provider. The study investigates how these translators interact with translation tools when post-editing translation proposals in an environment that combines translation memory (TM) and machine translation (MT). The authors aim to explore which types of translation resources the translators use, whether the concordance feature is their first choice of resource, and how they explain their interaction with this feature retrospectively.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of previous research on translator-computer interaction (TCI) and the use of translation tools. It highlights the need for further research on TCI, particularly in workplace settings, to prepare students for a future where interaction with translation tools is an integral part of translation. The authors adopt an embedded mixed method design that combines an experimental and ethnographically inspired approach to investigate authentic translation assignments.
The article's strengths lie in its detailed description of the study's methodology, including data collection procedures, data analysis methods, and ethical considerations. The authors provide a thorough discussion of their findings, highlighting the central role played by the concordance feature in TCI processes. They also discuss instances where cognitive friction occurs due to unhelpful or distracting CAT tool features.
However, there are some potential biases in this article. Firstly, it focuses solely on one language service provider in Denmark, limiting its generalizability to other contexts. Secondly, it only investigates technical and marketing texts from English into Danish, neglecting other language pairs or text types. Thirdly, it assumes that all translators use CAT tools when translating professionally without considering those who do not use them or prefer traditional methods.
Furthermore, while the article provides evidence for the central role played by the concordance feature in TCI processes, it does not explore alternative explanations for this finding or consider counterarguments. Additionally, it does not provide evidence for some claims made regarding previous studies' findings on translators' use of resources.
In conclusion, while this article provides valuable insights into TCI processes and the use of CAT tools in professional translation settings, readers should be aware of its potential biases and limitations. Further research is needed to confirm these findings across different contexts and languages pairs.