As technology progressed, translation was constantly changing.
When you think about translation work, you probably think of simply typing on a computer, and I'm still used to requesting translation by phone or email. But even in the midst of that, small changes are taking place. Maybe it's a direction we should move forward in. If we look at the path we have walked in the past and the direction we are creating in the future, we will be able to understand not only the current situation in the translation industry, but also the gap with other fields. To this end, I would like to first look at the differences in translation work methods due to changes in platforms.
First timeThe first is the PC eraIt's all.
It can be said that the translation market has rapidly expanded along with the development of PCs. The reason for this is that translation work has become easier. Since there is a word program, the trouble of having to write by hand is solved. Since everything can be stored in document software, storage and management have also become more efficient. Now, not only the original text, but also the finished translated version can be easily delivered by email, but in this period, document delivery was still mainly in analog methods such as face-to-face or mail. As a result, it may have taken quite a while for the client and the translation company to communicate before starting the translation work. Identifying the exact needs would have taken a considerable amount of time. Translation companies in this period, or translation agencies, like other industries, probably mainly used word of mouth or printed materials to promote.
Next is the web, or Internet era.
With the spread of the Internet, it has become easier to connect people to people, and time has also been shortened. You can always connect via a website. Previously, in the PC era, only translation companies and translators used PCs to work, but in the Internet age, clients, translators, and translation companies were all able to communicate via the web, and email became the main method of communication. Translation companies can now promote their services by building their own websites. The client can determine whether it is appropriate to request a translation by referring to the company's service details introduced on the translation company's website. It is now possible to confirm each other's needs in a much shorter time than it was necessary to understand by talking to each other in the PC era. Also, the range of choices has been expanded. Previously, I found a translation company through referrals from people I know, but now clients can choose their favorite translation company by simply searching the Internet. Translation companies are also able to promote companies in a more effective way, moving away from an era where they only relied on human relationships to create leaflets to promote and spread word of mouth.
The third is the mobile age.
The market landscape changed drastically as mobile phones broke away from communication tools that simply used to make calls and send messages, and smartphones that can replace PCs appeared. Translation companies that previously only operated websites are also creating smartphone applications one after another. The days when a PC was no longer necessary for searching or working are over, and it is now possible to check emails and communicate in real time at any time with just a smartphone. Translators are also able to quickly resolve additional information and questions required for translation by communicating more quickly with translation companies and clients. Furthermore, we are trying to make management easier through computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and translation companies' own translation management programs or applications. Currently, many translation companies are striving to highlight their strengths and provide better services at this stage. But can we just stay at this stage? The trend of the times is already moving towards the next step.
This is the Digital Transformation (Digital Transformation) 1 era.
Maybe we are already close to this era. As such, the translation industry is undergoing significant changes. In addition to initial translation and post-editing2 tasks using a machine translator, it is now possible to improve the efficiency of the overall translation process using artificial intelligence (AI). Of course, the biggest change due to the development of technology is probably improving the efficiency of translation work through machine translation. Many of the mistakes and errors that humans are bound to make have also been improved. They also present necessary information and past information in advance before searching through all kinds of sites to find any information. Other than that, there are many other things that can be used for translation company management and comprehensive translation solutions. Instead of deciding on several service types and selecting the most appropriate solution for the customer or simply processing the client's translation request from time to time, it is a comprehensive analysis of the client's past request pattern and the nature of the translation material to proactively present a solution suitable for the client. In other words, by collecting and analyzing all data, the service called translation can also be an individualized and customized service.
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We are living in an age where all of this is possible, but why is the pace of change in the translation industry still underwhelming? It's all because of familiarity. In fact, the existing translation process and communication methods between the parties are sufficient for the work. It is also true that program development and application of new technology require a small initial cost. Users also tend to be reluctant when they suddenly encounter a new program. It takes time to adapt, and during this time, it's not noticeable what the benefits of the new programs and methods are. This doesn't just apply to the translation industry. Various industries are already seeking digitalization.
The coffee shop Starbucks, which we are familiar with, is one of the representative success stories of digital transformation. We are improving the customer experience through convenient ordering procedures and various benefits using mobile devices. Of course, it took a significant investment of time and money for Starbucks to become this way. Although users had to bear the time it took to adapt and customers leaving along the way, we were able to gather more customers and build a more efficient management system.
Similarly, the time may have already come for the translation industry, which is changing relatively slowly compared to the pace of technological development, to a new paradigm shift. Of course, it's not easy to get started, and it will take time to adapt. But the sooner this period comes, won't the translation industry be able to advance by leaps and bounds?
1 Digital Transformation (Digital Transformation)
Transforming traditional social structures by applying digital technology to society as a whole. In general, it means innovating existing traditional operating methods and services by building and utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data solutions as a platform. (Source: IT Glossary, Korea Information and Communication Technology Association)
2 Post-editing (Post-editing)
It refers to the work of a translator revising text translated by a machine translation program. When machine translation is used in a wide range of areas of expertise, it refers to the task of reviewing translated text and correcting parts that cannot be solved by machine translation. (Source: Naver Knowledge Encyclopedia)
*This content has been transferred from Gicon Studio to Letterworks.
