Language resources and Language resources and the language professionalthe language professional

Elia Yuste © yuste@ifi.unizh.ch

LANGUAGE RESOURCES FOR LANGUAGE RESOURCES FOR TRANSLATION WORK AND TRANSLATION WORK AND

RESEARCHRESEARCHAn International Workshop Preceding An International Workshop Preceding LREC 2002LREC 2002

Auditorio Alfredo Kraus

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

2002/05/28

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Talk’s Outline

• Rationale: Why LR are relevant for translators.

• LR in translation training (academic & vocational).

• LR in the translation profession - language industry.

• Conclusions & questions.

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LANGUAGE RESOURCES (LR)

Based in Godfrey & Zampolli (1996)

Written and spoken corpora

Lexical Lexical databasesdatabases

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Language Resources for Translation (LR4Trans)

• All LR pointed out by Godfrey & Zampolli may be useful for Translation Work, Research, … and Training.• LR enrich and facilitate any language-

related work and empower the language professional.§ One or more LR can be consulted, shared

and/or updated by different users intervening in a given language workflow.

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Thinking back...• Linguistic resources have always been

around when translating (e.g. card glossaries, edition notes originally added on the page margins, etc.).

• Of course, they were valuable… BUT they were NOT:

•FLEXIBLE or DYNAMIC ENOUGHFLEXIBLE or DYNAMIC ENOUGH•EASILY CUSTOMISED OR EASILY CUSTOMISED OR OPTIMISEDOPTIMISED

•EASILY TRACEABLE OR SHAREDEASILY TRACEABLE OR SHARED

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The advent and influence of e-LR

• e-LR have become real thanks to –massive document digitizationdigitization– huge impact of ICTICT (Internet, PC)

• In (Technical) Translation and Multilingual Communication processes, LR are a pool not only of (cross-)linguistic information(cross-)linguistic information

but also of knowledgeknowledge..

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Knowledge is power!

Knowledge is a determining factor in a globally networked information society Knowledge is produced in all languages and cultures of the world (even if some are more predominant) Knowledge has been and will keep growing dramatically in the future Knowledge has necessarily to be transferred, TRANSLATED - efficiently and at arapid pace!

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For the Translator...… this means (potential)

EMPOWERMENT & EMPOWERMENT & RESOURCEFULNESS --- to RESOURCEFULNESS --- to become a LANGUAGE become a LANGUAGE PROFESSIONAL!PROFESSIONAL!

PotentialPotential only if translators know (or are prepared to learn) how to use, create, exploit, manage, leverage… LR.

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The problem is...… that not many translators feel able to

become resourceful language language professionalsprofessionals.

they claim not to feel at ease with a computer-aided workflow...

they confess to be afraid of evolving...

Probably they don’t know enough about

LR;-( TRAINING

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Translator Training about Technology

※ typically starts with an introduction about IT, without a focus on translation or language work;

※ is usually tools-driven only, instead of embracing the LR-approach, too!

※no or little reference to LR as part of HLT applications;

※ lack of an adequate technology-aided workflow perspective.

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so...

What should we follow next??

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To make Technology-related Translator Training more

Effective (I)

# Realistic, compliant with language industry needs and trends

– Project-based (trainees role-play)

– Constructivist, collaborative model (ideally based on authentic language work assignments)

– Trainer = facilitator (e.g. creation of DIY corpora out of data downloaded from the Internet).

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To make Technology-related Translator Training more

Effective (II)# Focus on LR «in action» rather than

on a particular tool exclusively¤ LR can be useful throughout the whole

translation or multilingual documentation production process

¤ LR are valuable data feeding other HLT applications (translation and localization workbenches, knowledge management systems, term-bases, MT systems, etc.)

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Training at University Level

⊿ Training usually benefits from research initiatives and results.

⊿LR are either developed in house or obtained from consortiums and sister

educational institutions - somewhat difficult to obtain authentic corporate or

organisation language materials.⊿Theoretically sound. Practical solutions

implementation is not always possible (budget constraints).

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Training «on the Job» (corporate/institutional

settings)⊿ LR Training may result from a consulting

exercise.⊿ Training usually benefits from real-life data,

but it’s also challenged by real-life needs.⊿ LR may be developed in house or purchased

from/shared with other partners.⊿ Practical solutions are the main priority (but

budget and time constraints do also apply).⊿ Hot topics are integration of LR in the

workflow (e.g. multi-user access) and LR evaluation (usually based on cost-

effectiveness and ROI parameters).

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To Sum Up LANGUAGE RESOURCES are an

essential component in multilingual communication

Their understanding, learning by doing/using, and exchange (standards) have to be fostered.Their usefulness and customization/leverage capabilities should be made more transparent.A truly resourceful language professional should be familiar with LR.

LR

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Thanks very much!

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