The value of translation in the era of automation: an examination of threats

Akiko Sakamoto

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-51761-8_10

The value of translation in the era of automation: an examination of threats

Akiko Sakamoto

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

Starting from Goldberg’s (2018) claim that the symbolic value attached to cognitive professions is threatened by automation, this chapter approaches the threat of automation and translator anxiety from a sociological perspective. The chapter highlights the task of ‘pattern recognition’ in translation as an important factor related to the value of translation. The chapter argues that incompatibility between the nature of the task and machine translation(and related automated practices) is causing translator anxiety. This is supported by data from a focus group that included 22 translation project managers working in Japan. Three concepts are addressed:morality, money, and suffering. The conclusion addresses the fact that the traditional value of translation will not align with the future of the translation industry and scenarios of translators’ survival are explored.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	When Translation Goes Digital
Subtitle of host publication	Case Studies and Critical Reflections
Editors	Renée Desjardins, Claire Larsonneur, Philippe Lacour
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter	10
Pages	231-255
Number of pages	25
Edition	1st
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-030-51761-8
ISBN (Print)	978-3-030-51760-1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51761-8_10
Publication status	Published - 12 Dec 2020

Publication series

Name	Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan

Keywords

translation studies
translation technology
sociology of translation
automation

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-030-51761-8_10

https://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783030517601

When Translation Meets Technologies: Language Service Providers in the Digital Age (Phase 2)
Sakamoto, A., Rodriguez De Cespedes, B. & Berthaud, S.
3/10/16 → 3/09/19
Project: Research

Cite this

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abstract = "Starting from Goldberg{\textquoteright}s (2018) claim that the symbolic value attached to cognitive professions is threatened by automation, this chapter approaches the threat of automation and translator anxiety from a sociological perspective. The chapter highlights the task of {\textquoteleft}pattern recognition{\textquoteright} in translation as an important factor related to the value of translation. The chapter argues that incompatibility between the nature of the task and machine translation(and related automated practices) is causing translator anxiety. This is supported by data from a focus group that included 22 translation project managers working in Japan. Three concepts are addressed:morality, money, and suffering. The conclusion addresses the fact that the traditional value of translation will not align with the future of the translation industry and scenarios of translators{\textquoteright} survival are explored.",

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The value of translation in the era of automation: an examination of threats. / Sakamoto, Akiko.
When Translation Goes Digital: Case Studies and Critical Reflections. ed. / Renée Desjardins; Claire Larsonneur; Philippe Lacour. 1st. ed. Palgrave Macmillan, 2020. p. 231-255 (Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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AB - Starting from Goldberg’s (2018) claim that the symbolic value attached to cognitive professions is threatened by automation, this chapter approaches the threat of automation and translator anxiety from a sociological perspective. The chapter highlights the task of ‘pattern recognition’ in translation as an important factor related to the value of translation. The chapter argues that incompatibility between the nature of the task and machine translation(and related automated practices) is causing translator anxiety. This is supported by data from a focus group that included 22 translation project managers working in Japan. Three concepts are addressed:morality, money, and suffering. The conclusion addresses the fact that the traditional value of translation will not align with the future of the translation industry and scenarios of translators’ survival are explored.

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KW - translation technology

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The value of translation in the era of automation: an examination of threats

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

Access to Document

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Projects

When Translation Meets Technologies: Language Service Providers in the Digital Age (Phase 2)

Cite this