Enhancing translator employability in the artificial intelligence era
Abstract
This exploratory study investigates Enhancing Translator Employability in the Artificial Intelligence Era (AI). As AI, particularly through machine learning and neural networks, revolutionizes translation services, concerns have emerged regarding the future demand for human translators.The study sets out to assess perceptions of employability among trainee translators. Translators and employers in the Artificial Intelligence Era (AI) era, identify factors influencing these perceptions, and propose strategies for enhancing their employability. Employing a mixed-methods approach with 60 participants—comprising 40 ASTI trainees, 16 recent graduates, and 4 employers—the study examines perceptions of future career prospects, factors influencing these perceptions, and strategies for enhancing employability. The research draws on Skills-Mismatch Theory, Human Capital Theory, Career Adaptability Theory, and Job-Market Signaling Theory guiding our research and findings. Results highlight significant uncertainty among trainees, largely due to the rapid integration of AI tools in translation. However, the study also reveals opportunities for human translators to adopt AI as a complementary tool, emphasizing the importance of targeted training programs in technological proficiency and adaptive skills.The study provides actionable recommendations, including curriculum reforms to incorporate AI-focused training, industry-academia collaborations, and the promotion of lifelong learning to ensure translators remain competitive. These findings offer insights into the evolving translation market and guide educational institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in preparing translators for an AI-enhanced professional landscape.
Downloads
References
Baker, M. (2018). In other words: A coursebook on translation (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Bowker, L., & Ciro, J. (2019). Machine translation and global research: Towards improved machine translation literacy in the scholarly community. Emerald Publishing.
Chesterman, A. (2006). Questions in the sociology of translation. In J. Duarte, A. Assis Rosa, & T. Seruya (Eds.), Translation studies at the interface of disciplines (pp. 9–27). John Benjamins Publishing.
Doherty, S. (2016). The impact of translation technologies on the process and product of translation. International Journal of Communication, 10, 947–969.
EMT Board. (2017, December). The European Master’s in Translation Competence Framework 2017. European Commission. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/emt_competence_fwk_2017_en_web.pdf
Fomunyam, K. G. (2020). Digital transformation and its implications for higher education in Cameroon. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(2), 213–234. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520946422
Gile, D. (2009). Basic concepts and models for interpreter and translator training (Rev. ed.). John Benjamins Publishing.
Guerberof, A., &Moorkens, J. (2019). Machine translation and post-editing training as part of a master’s programme. Jostrans – Journal of Specialized Translation, 31, 217–238.
Harvey, L. (2001). Defining and measuring employability. Quality in Higher Education, 7(2), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538320120059990
Hillage, J., & Pollard, E. (1998). Employability: Developing a framework for policy analysis. Institute for Employment Studies.
Huang, M. H., & Rust, R. T. (2018). Artificial intelligence in service. Journal of Service Research, 21(3), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670518775397
Hutchins, J. (2005). Current commercial machine translation systems and computer-based translation tools: System types and their uses. International Journal of Translation, 17(1–2), 5–38.
Jiménez-Crespo, M. A. (2017). Crowdsourcing and online collaborative translations: Expanding the limits of translation studies. John Benjamins Publishing.
John McCarthy. (2007). What is artificial intelligence? Retrieved from http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/
Kenny, D., & Way, A. (2018). Machine translation for everyone: Empowering users in the age of artificial intelligence. Springer.
Kiraly, D. C. (2000). A social constructivist approach to translator education: Empowerment from theory to practice. St. Jerome Publishing.
Kirov, V., &Malamin, B. (2022). Are translators afraid of artificial intelligence? Societies, 12(2), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12020070
Massey, G., &Ehrensberger-Dow, M. (2017). Cognitive translation studies: Developments and debates. Translation Spaces, 6(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.6.1.01mas
Moorkens, J. (2020). Ethical considerations in machine translation post-editing. Translation Spaces, 9(1), 90–113. https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.9.1.05moo
Nkengfack, H. N., &Tchaptchet, E. T. (2019). Technological advancements and their impact on the economy of Cameroon: A review. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 11(5), 567–576. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2019.1572793
O’Hagan, M. (2016). Massively open translation: Unpacking the relationship between technology and translation in the 21st century. International Journal of Translation, 12(2), 50–67.
Pym, A. (2012). On translator ethics: Principles for mediation between cultures. John Benjamins Publishing.
Savickas, M. L. (1997). Career adaptability: An integrative construct for life-span, life-space theory. The Career Development Quarterly, 45(3), 247–259. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.1997.tb00469.x
Sawyer, R. K. (2006). Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation. Oxford University Press.
Spence, M. (1973). Job market signaling. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 87(3), 355–374. https://doi.org/10.2307/1882010
Sullivan, C. (2013). Creativity. In Y. Gambier & L. Van Doorslaer (Eds.), Handbook of translation studies (Vol. 4, pp. 42–46). John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Vieira, L. N., &Zetzsche, J. (2022). Translation technologies and their ethical implications: Challenges and opportunities. The Journal of Ethics and Technology, 28(3), 201–215.
Wolf, M., &Fukari, A. (Eds.). (2007). Constructing a sociology of translation. John Benjamins Publishing.
Yorke, M. (2006). Employability in higher education: What it is – what it is not. Higher Education Academy.
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the Global Publication House will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.