Abstract
Translators (as well as interpreters) and language service providers find themselves amidst a paradigm shift. Translators of non-literary texts see their traditional jobs gradually being taken over by machines and are left with the meagre role of editor or proofreader, as the actual rendering phase of the translation process is proudly carried out by translation engines with unparalleled speed.
Language service providers (LSPs) face a process of disintermediation with respect to the supply chain as new start-ups offer semi-automated workflows and translators are approached by clients directly via translation community portals. Translators (interpreters) and LSPs can keep on top of the developments only if they rethink their roles and embrace new developments in a critical, yet open-minded way.
In the article, some of the scenarios in which the roles of translators and LSPs are challenged by innovation and change are discussed. These scenarios include translation and interpreting technology (Computer Assisted Translation, Machine Translation, workflow automation, and automatic interpreting) as well as services (such as Post Editing Machine Translation and language service provision).
Unless a “point of degradation” in MT is reached, language technology is here to stay, and others will follow suit. MT will undoubtedly underperform for some time yet in areas of added value, with semantically challenging texts, those of creative value, and more generally, in literary translation.
Despite these facts – or even because of them – the translation and interpreting professions will remain appealing areas of intellectual pursuit.