Utilization of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools Among Arab Translators: Scope, Challenges, and Solutions

Abstract

The study aims at investigating the utilization of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools by Arab translators with a particular focus on the challenges that they face. It also suggests potential solutions that can help Arab translators increase their translation efficiency and productivity. The author followed the quantitative and qualitative methods with an analytical descriptive approach in conducting the current study. To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire consisting of 67 items was designed to identify the utilization of CAT tools, the scope of their use, and the challenges that Arab translators encounter while using CAT tools. The questionnaire was given to 104 Arab translators from various Arab countries. An interview was also used to achieve the objectives of this study; it aimed to collect data about finding solutions to the challenges that Arab translators face while using CAT tools from the perspective of 20 translators. Additionally, the SPSS program and other statistical tests were used for data analysis purposes. The findings showed that only a few types of CAT tools were used by Arab translators and even those they used were not utilized very much. The results indicated that only 19.03% of the total number of participants used CAT tools. That means Arab translators confronted many challenges while using CAT tools from the viewpoints of the participants. These challenges were related to translators, CAT tools, translation memory (TM), and technical issues. Additionally, a list of solutions was proposed to overcome the challenges that Arab translators face while using CAT tools from the perspectives of those interviewed.