CAT Tools Research Articles

The online computer-assisted translation class getting faster target language

Computer-assisted translation technology is complex and, in many cases, intimidating for students new to CAT software. Thus, CAT technology is best taught using a step-by-step approach with exercises first focusing on the basic features and then on more elaborate software functions (scaffolding). The goal is to equip students with the step-by-step instructions and screencast tutorials needed to complete exercises. Students gain further software experience by working on a larger text of their choice throughout the semester. They first prepare and format this source text for CAT tool use, and they then build a termbase and translate the source text into their target language. Finally, students write two essays reflecting on the advantages and disadvantages of using CAT software for producing their target texts. Translation students must be aware of the context in which translation memory tools are used and the impact that their use has on the translation itself.

Evaluation Methods in Teaching Translation by Saudi University Instructors under Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic has posed challenges in evaluating students’ performance in educational institutions all over the world. Therefore, university instructors may encounter some problems in evaluating their students fairly through online teaching since it was not an easy task before this worldly crisis. The current study aims at investigating the perspectives of instructors who teach translation courses at some Saudi universities towards the followed evaluation methods in teaching translation courses during Coronavirus pandemic. Two methods were used to collect data: simple observation and online questionnaire. The participants were 21 instructors from 10 Saudi universities. The findings of this study show that using machine translation and CAT tools by students in doing assessment tasks does not guarantee fairness among students during Coronavirus pandemic regardless of the nature of translation courses. In addition, online exams and assignments are less fair to show the individual differences among students compared with written exams before Coronavirus pandemic. To evaluate students’ performance in translation courses fairly, the participants of this study suggested some solutions such as modifying questions' patterns of some translation exams and assignments to cope with online teaching, emphasizing the importance of live sessions and online participation as assessment tasks for students during Coronavirus pandemic, using other evaluation methods such as live oral assessment, editing texts, multiple choice editing questions, etc. The study concludes with some recommendations for future research.

What's in a Meow? A Study on Human Classification and Interpretation of Domestic Cat Vocalizations.

Simple SummaryCat–human communication is a core aspect of cat–human relationships and has an impact on domestic cats’ welfare. Meows are the most common human-directed vocalizations and are used in different everyday contexts to convey emotional states. This work investigates adult humans’ capacity to recognize meows emitted by cats during waiting for food, isolation, and brushing. We also assessed whether participants’ gender and level of empathy toward animals in general, and toward cats in particular, positively affect the recognition of cat meows. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge of cats and to evaluate their empathy toward animals. In addition, they listened to cat meows recorded in different situations and tried to identify the context in which they were emitted and their emotional valence. Overall, we found that, although meowing is mainly a human-directed vocalization and should represent a useful tool for cats to communicate emotional states to their owners, humans are not good at extracting precise information from cats’ vocalizations and show a limited capacity of discrimination based mainly on their experience with cats and influenced by gender and empathy toward them.Although the domestic cat (Felis catus) is probably the most widespread companion animal in the world and interacts in a complex and multifaceted way with humans, the human–cat relationship and reciprocal communication have received far less attention compared, for example, to the human–dog relationship. Only a limited number of studies have considered what people understand of cats’ human-directed vocal signals during daily cat–owner interactions. The aim of the current study was to investigate to what extent adult humans recognize cat vocalizations, namely meows, emitted in three different contexts: waiting for food, isolation, and brushing. A second aim was to evaluate whether the level of human empathy toward animals and cats and the participant’s gender would positively influence the recognition of cat vocalizations. Finally, some insights on which acoustic features are relevant for the main investigation are provided as a serendipitous result. Two hundred twenty-five adult participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge of cats and to evaluate their empathy toward animals (Animal Empathy Scale). In addition, participants had to listen to six cat meows recorded in three different contexts and specify the context in which they were emitted and their emotional valence. Less than half of the participants were able to associate cats’ vocalizations with the correct context in which they were emitted; the best recognized meow was that emitted while waiting for food. Female participants and cat owners showed a higher ability to correctly classify the vocalizations emitted by cats during brushing and isolation. A high level of empathy toward cats was significantly associated with a better recognition of meows emitted during isolation. Regarding the emotional valence of meows, it emerged that cat vocalizations emitted during isolation are perceived by people as the most negative, whereas those emitted during brushing are perceived as most positive. Overall, it emerged that, although meowing is mainly a human-directed vocalization and in principle represents a useful tool for cats to communicate emotional states to their owners, humans are not particularly able to extract precise information from cats’ vocalizations and show a limited capacity of discrimination based mainly on their experience with cats and influenced by empathy toward them.

The ergonomics of translation tools: understanding when less is actually more

ABSTRACT Professional translation and consequently translation training involve a wide range of technological aids and translation tools. Agreat deal of effort has been devoted to developing and implementing features that can contribute to higher consistency, productivity and quality but less attention has been paid to the needs of learners and users. Research with professionals at the workplace suggests that there is potential to optimise the ergonomics of certain features of computer-aided translation tools. An exploratory study of the usability of two such tools with very different interfaces was carried out with students enrolled in a Master of Arts (MA) programme in translation. Quantitative measures from process monitoring software and qualitative indicators from post-task interviews highlight how students interacted with the two tools as they translated comparable source texts. The process measures and the comments suggest that the CAT tool with the leaner interface might be easier for students to use. In-depth analyses of three pairs of comparable segments support this finding, as do the evaluations of the target text segments by a separate cohort of MA students. We consider the implications of our findings in light of recent calls for improved cognitive, physical, and organisational ergonomics at the translation workplace.

Development of Management System for eduroam Database Updated Specification

This paper presents a system developed to simplify the eduroam database management. The goal of the eduroam database is to provide the necessary information needed for the operation of the eduroam service and related supporting services like eduroam monitoring, service location maps and usage statistics, as well as the eduroam CAT tool. eduroam database specifications have been updated to the second version and the update has recently become mandatory, requiring many changes for databases of all National Roaming Operators (NRO). The solution presented here can be useful for NRO administrators to simplify the eduroam database management.

The Professional Profile of a Post-editor according to LSCs and Linguists: a Survey-Based Research

The boundaries between translation technologies are fading and language professionals are heading towards a pluri- and transdisciplinary job description, for which the use of CAT tools, translation management systems, and machine translation (MT) are compulsory. “Language paraprofessionals”, “paralinguists”, “language consultants”, “digital linguists”, and a long list of other titles is emerging to refer to the professionals who master a number of features of several tools, while remaining attentive to linguistics (see Bond 2018). According to TAUS DQF Dashboard data presented in TAUS Newsletter the 1st of May of 2019, the industry averages show that 9.7% of the translation output origin comes from MT and that 1,057 words per hour are post-edited on average. This has clear repercussions on the profession from the employability perspective.With 66 submissions by LSCs and industry stakeholders, and 142 answers from individuals (in-house or freelance translators), we present the most salient subject matters from and for the translation industry regarding MT post-editing. Some represent gaps to be filled; others represent common ground already found. Thanks to this up-to-date knowledge of the globalization landscape, clear goals can be set, and the way is paved for evolution.

Risk Factors For Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport In Costa Rican Female Runners

Competing in weight sensitive sports increases the risk for low energy availability (EA) which is associated with health impairments. Most of the available evidence on syndromes that result from low energy availability is in female athletes. PURPOSE: To identify body composition, caloric intake, physical activity, and other risk factors for developing the syndrome of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in female runners. METHODS: 31 female recreational runners completed a sociodemographic and an adaptation to the RED-S CAT tool to evaluate 12 risks factors for RED-S, a 7-day weekly exercise record based on calories spent on training sessions using their heart rate monitor, a 3-day dietary record (two work days and one weekend day) completed with the app “My Fitness Pal” and a body composition evaluation by bioimpedance. Energy availability was calculated and classified as: No risk (≥45 kcal/kg LBM/day); Moderate risk (30-45 kcal/kg LBM/day); and At risk (≤30 kcal/kg LBM/day). RESULTS: Age of 33±6.0 years with experience of 7 to 9 years. The average personal record in 10 kilometers was 40:24:48±2.0 minutes. The average body mass was 53±5.3 kg, BMI=20.9±1.6 kg/m2, a percentage of body fat=26.4±3.7% and lean body mass=38.9±3.1 kg. The average reported daily exercise caloric expenditure was 529.5±176.4 kcal and daily caloric intake was 1679.5±327.7 kcal. Results showed an EA of 1147.7±343.3 kcal/day, or 29.6±9.1 kcal/kg of LBM/day. Only 6% of the runners were classified as no risk, 42% as moderate risk and 52% as at risk. Other risk factors were history of interrupted menstrual cycles (42%), birth control pills (29%), non-nutritional technique to lose weight (22%), history of eating disorder (16%), stress fracture (10%), hormonal disorder (7%). There was a weak and non-significant correlation between EA and personal best (r=0.45, p=0.811) CONCLUSION: This group of Costa Rican runners demonstrate energy availability that is far below from the optimal and various risk factors to develop the syndrome of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

Análisis de las actitudes de estudiantes de traducción hacia las herramientas TAO. El punto de vista de los estudiantes de chino-español

In the 21st century, translation and technological innovations are already inseparable. Computer-assisted translation tools (CAT tools) and machine translation (MT) are increasingly important and essential in the training of future translators. The main objective of this article is to analyze the attitudes of students towards translation technologies. Specifically, this work aims to make a first approach to the opinions and attitudes of Chinese students about CAT tools and AT in the Chinese-Spanish combination.

The attitudes of professional translators and translation students towards computer-assisted translation tools in Yemen

The translation industry has witnessed rapid technological improvements in recent years. This rapid improvement is ascribed to a huge demand for the workload. Using a computer in the field of translation is very important due to the huge demand for fast and accurate translation. Translation tools came to existence due to the low proficiency of machine translation. CAT tools have become essential for many institutions, companies, and organizations. CAT tools increase productivity and minimize translation costs. The purpose of this study is to scrutinise the attitudes of professional translators and translation students towards CAT tools in Yemen. The questionnaire of this study was composed of 27 statements distributed to four constructs. The link of the questionnaire was distributed via WhatsApp to the participants. The other tool was an online interview about some issues related to CAT tools. These responses were analysed qualitatively. The researchers distributed the questionnaire to 250 people, and the valid responses of the participants were 56. The analysis shows that they have positive attitudes towards CAT tools. The results of the study show that professional translators and translation students show a positive attitude. Unexpectedly, the profiles of the participants do not play any role in their attitudes towards CAT tools.

Genome reconstruction of the non-culturable spinach downy mildew Peronospora effusa by metagenome filtering.

Peronospora effusa (previously known as P. farinosa f. sp. spinaciae, and here referred to as Pfs) is an obligate biotrophic oomycete that causes downy mildew on spinach (Spinacia oleracea). To combat this destructive many disease resistant cultivars have been bred and used. However, new Pfs races rapidly break the employed resistance genes. To get insight into the gene repertoire of Pfs and identify infection-related genes, the genome of the first reference race, Pfs1, was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. Due to the obligate biotrophic nature of this pathogen, material for DNA isolation can only be collected from infected spinach leaves that, however, also contain many other microorganisms. The obtained sequences can, therefore, be considered a metagenome. To filter and obtain Pfs sequences we utilized the CAT tool to taxonomically annotate ORFs residing on long sequences of a genome pre-assembly. This study is the first to show that CAT filtering performs well on eukaryotic contigs. Based on the taxonomy, determined on multiple ORFs, contaminating long sequences and corresponding reads were removed from the metagenome. Filtered reads were re-assembled to provide a clean and improved Pfs genome sequence of 32.4 Mbp consisting of 8,635 scaffolds. Transcript sequencing of a range of infection time points aided the prediction of a total of 13,277 gene models, including 99 RxLR(-like) effector, and 14 putative Crinkler genes. Comparative analysis identified common features in the predicted secretomes of different obligate biotrophic oomycetes, regardless of their phylogenetic distance. Their secretomes are generally smaller, compared to hemi-biotrophic and necrotrophic oomycete species. We observe a reduction in proteins involved in cell wall degradation, in Nep1-like proteins (NLPs), proteins with PAN/apple domains, and host translocated effectors. The genome of Pfs1 will be instrumental in studying downy mildew virulence and for understanding the molecular adaptations by which new isolates break spinach resistance.

POTENTIAL FOR THE USE OF ICT IN TEACHING SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TRANSLATION

The article analyzes the features of both general-purpose and translation ICT tools, which can be applied at different stages of scientific and technical translation and, accordingly, in the process of would-be translators’ professional training. General-purpose ICT tools include a Word processor as a means of the target text formatting and finalizing; search engines necessary for widening background, subject-matter and linguistic knowledge at the information-reference and terminology search stages; means of electronic communication, in particular email, providing interaction among the translation project participants. The paper focuses on advantages and disadvantages of translation ICT tools: translation databases (Reverso context); electronic dictionaries (ABBYY Lingvо, multitran) necessary for improving and expanding would-be translators’ vocabulary; electronic text corpora as sources of authentic linguistic materials, machine translation systems (Google Translate) and CAT tools (Trados, SmartCAT) capable of accelerating target text drafting. In the context of machine translation analysis, the necessity to determine the indicators of machine translatability and to carry out source text pre-editing based on controlled language rules and target text post-editing is emphasized. It is pointed out that CAT tools can increase translators’ performance, provide terminology consistency and enable translation project management; at the same time, their application requires developing special skills. A number of issues that need further research are outlined: concretizing the translator training stages appropriate for introducing specific ICT tools; the ratio of the training time allotted for pen and paper translation and ICT-based one; the expediency of applying machine translation systems, in particular Google Translate, in each particular case.

Improving the content of training future translators in the aspect of studying modern CAT tools

The article deals with the search for improving the content of training for future translators, taking into account the expansion of the use of information technologies in the field of translation. The results of a study of curriculums for translators at the universities of Europe, America and Asia are presented. The use of CAT systems in the work of translation agencies is shown. The presentation of various CAT systems in training programs for translators and their use in the market of translation services is analyzed. It has been established that both university curricula and translation agencies are oriented, as a rule, not to one, but to several CAT systems. The results of a student survey based on their practice in translation agencies are presented. Recommendations have been developed regarding the inclusion of the most common CAT systems in the training program for translators. The expediency of studying not just one, but several CAT systems is substantiated. The necessity of studying both desktop and cloud CAT systems is indicated.

Zur Übersetzung textdeiktischer Verweise in normiertn Fachtexten: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung an einem viersprachigen Korpus europäischer Patentschriften

AbstractThe present study analyses patterns of textual deixis (also known as text deixis or discourse deixis) in scientific and technical texts. Its particular focus is on the translational implications arising from the use of text deixis in European patent specifications. Patent specifications are among the most frequently translated LSP genres. Their linguistic and technical complexity and their highly standardized language present a considerable challenge for the translator. My analysis examines patterns of intratextual and intertextual deictic reference typical of the language of patents. Taking a pragmatic approach, it asks the question which functional types they represent and how they can be processed by the translator. In this context, light is also shed on the benefits gained from using CAT tools for the translation of culture-specific deictic elements in patent specifications. The database is a corpus of 40 complete original (i. e. non-translated) texts covering four of the most important languages in the patent translation market: English, German, Spanish and Italian.

Competency assessment tool for laparoscopic suturing: development and reliability evaluation

BackgroundLaparoscopic suturing can be technically challenging and requires extensive training to achieve competency. To date no specific and objective assessment method for laparoscopic suturing and knot tying is available that can guide training and monitor performance in these complex surgical skills. In this study we aimed to develop a laparoscopic suturing competency assessment tool (LS-CAT) and assess its inter-observer reliability.MethodsWe developed a bespoke CAT tool for laparoscopic suturing through a structured, mixed methodology approach, overseen by a steering committee with experience in developing surgical assessment tools. A wide Delphi consultation with over twelve experts in laparoscopic surgery guided the development stages of the tool. Following, subjects with different levels of laparoscopic expertise were included to evaluate this tool, using a simulated laparoscopic suturing task which involved placing of two surgical knots. A research assistant video recorded and anonymised each performance. Two blinded expert surgeons assessed the anonymised videos using the developed LS-CAT. The LS-CAT scores of the two experts were compared to assess the inter-observer reliability. Lastly, we compared the subjects’ LS-CAT performance scores at the beginning and end of their learning curve.ResultsThis study evaluated a novel LS-CAT performance tool, comprising of four tasks. Thirty-six complete videos were analysed and evaluated with the LS-CAT, of which the scores demonstrated excellent inter-observer reliability. Cohen’s Kappa analysis revealed good to excellent levels of agreement for almost all tasks of both instrument handling and tissue handling (0.87; 0.77; 0.75; 0.86; 0.85, all with p < 0.001). Subjects performed significantly better at the end of their learning curve compared to their first attempt for all LS-CAT items (all with p < 0.001).ConclusionsWe developed the LS-CAT, which is a laparoscopic suturing grading matrix, with excellent inter-rater reliability and to discriminate between experience levels. This LS-CAT has a potential for wider use to objectively assess laparoscopic suturing skills.

Převod stylu v literárním překladu: využití paralelních korpusů a dalších elektronických nástrojů

The contribution deals with the use of electronic tools for investigating the transfer of authorial style in literary translation. It first introduces a method of sentence length analysis of source texts and target texts by means of graphs created by the combined use of the Excel application and of translation memories (TM) created in the CAT tool Memsource Cloud. The applicability of the method is demonstrated on samples of Bohumil Hrabal’s texts Cutting It Short and I Served the King of England translated into English by James Naughton and Paul Wilson respectively, and further tested for the purposes of investigating translator’s style on other texts by Hrabal (The Little Town Where Time Stood Still and Mr. Kafka and Other Tales from the Times of the Cult) and texts by other Czech authors translated by these translators (Miroslav Holub’s text The Jingle Bell Principle and Ivan Klima’s text Waiting for the Dark, Waiting for the Light). Secondly, the quantitative data obtained from TM are summed up in tables and the ways of interpreting it and using it for comparative stylistic analyses are demonstrated. The author comes to the conclusion that the presented methods are useful for exploring translators’ style and the transfer of authorial style in translation. Their time-consuming nature is more than balanced off by the quantity and relevance of the obtained results. Their effectiveness can be enhanced by using the TMs as a first step in compiling small-scale corpora, i.e., as files imported into corpus managers, e.g., Sketch Engine, capable of compiling parallel tagged corpora of single texts/ authors/translators and possibly by using the TMs for compiling manual multilevel annotation corpora, e.g., in the Graph Anno tool.

Automatic Cat Breeding and Drinking Equipment via Mobile Network Monitoring

This study aims to design a feeding and drinking tool for pet cats automatically based on SIM900A GSM Module. Design using GSM SIM900A, Arduino, RTC, load cell and Direct Current (DC) pump. This tool can be controlled to feed and drink the cat automatically at a distance. The working system of the tool consists of load cell 1, load cell 2 and water limit sensor which is an input result of measurement object which will be processed by arduino. Load cell 1 is used for measuring cat body weight, load cell 2 serves to measure cat feed weight and water limit function to enable and disable direct current pump. The pump will pump water to fill the cat drinking container if the container is empty. Data received by Arduino will be processed when the Real Time Clock (RTC) indicates the schedule of the cat’s feeder that has been set. Then the SIM900A GSM module will work sending short messages (SMS) to the mobile phone to inform the system has been working automatically feed the cat.

Bridging the gap between translation and interpreting students and freelance professionals. The mentoring programme of the Professional Association of Translators and Interpreters of Catalonia

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the mentoring programme carried out by Professional Association of Translators and Interpreters of Catalonia (APTIC) based on a multiple-mentoring model. It was offered during the academic years 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 in collaboration with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universitat de Vic and will continue in the future. The goal of APTIC’s mentoring programme is to let students experience the translators’ and interpreters’ profession from the point of view of freelancers. Each student spends one working day with each mentor. During this day, the student carries out the tasks that the mentor assigns him/her. These tasks are related to translation, interpreting, and proofreading, rates, work ethics, project and terminology management, ergonomics, marketing, and CAT tools, among others. In this paper, the following aspects will be discussed: 1) the benefits of mentoring programmes in general and particularly for future translation and interpreting freelance professionals; 2) the functioning, the contents and the assessment procedure of APTIC’s programme; 3) the results of the pilot test and of the programme offered in the academic year 2016/2017. Our findings show that, at the end of the programme, the students feel prepared to face some of the challenges of the labour market as freelancers.

Levelling the Playing Field with (In)accessible Technologies?

With the development of new technologies, the number of assistive devices/technologies at the disposal of persons with visual impairments has steadily grown. It would thus seem that translation professions have become more accessible. However, it seems that there is a growing gap between the competences indispensable for sighted and blind translators. The more technologically advanced the world of translators becomes, the more surplus technologies have to be mastered by the blind. And some of the digital tools which have become a blessing for sighted translators, such as CAT tools, are hardly accessible for the blind. Yet these challenges are not discussed outside the community of blind translators, except for only a handful of papers from a few translation scholars. So, is translation accessible for persons with visual impairments? This question is addressed on the basis of 15 in-depth interviews with blind and low sighted translators from Poland, analysed within the theoretical framework of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capitals.

포스트에디팅 교육을 위한 포스트에디팅과 인간번역의 차이 연구

Along with technical development, post-editing has emerged as a new research topic in translation studies. However, there have not been many English-Korean post-editing studies, not to mention post-editing education. This paper is a small step toward a better understanding of the nature of post-editing and applying that new insight to post-editing education. In order to discover any potential difference between human translation and post-editing, this paper conducted a head to head comparison in a graduate school specialized in interpretation and translation. One group (30 students) was exposed to the post-editing task without any translation brief; another group (30 students) translated without any CAT or MT tools. The research hypothesizes that the post-editing outcome will be longer than that of human translation and will show less lexical diversity. In order to verify the hypothesis, this research took a largely quantitative approach. The observation found that the hypothesis stands firm within the context of this research. As a next step, the results will be further analyzed in order to identify meaningful properties that can contribute to post-editing education.

Criteria for the Integration of Term Banks in the Professional Translation Environment

Translation-oriented terminology management is not only limited to the study of terminology problems with regards to specialization, currency, and reliability. The integration of terminology data bases within CAT tools facilitating their use, maintenance and retrieval towards the automation of the translation process and consistency of terminology has also attracted attention from the academia and the language industry alike. However, this approach to terminology management seems to be carried out from a mostly theoretical perspective. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present the results of a survey conducted among professional translators in Spain regarding their actual experience with terminology in order to identify potential gaps between the technological offer and the specific needs of translators.