Science Fair

Knowledge sharing and knowledge circulation are essential elements of a ‘fair’ translation market. That is why, as of this third edition, the programme will include a so-called ‘Science Fair’. During the Science Fair, researchers (translation scientists, independent researchers, translation students) will have the opportunity to share their knowledge.
Of course, we have been selective in our collaborations in light of the Interpreting and Translation Conference’s target audience. We have focused on research that can be used by interpreters, translators and translation agencies, on practical research.
This page will display the posters of the studies presented during this conference. During the conference, visitors will have the opportunity to question the researchers and discuss the results of their research.

(1) The usability of mobile translation apps: insights from a systematic literature study

Mark Pluymaekers (International Relationship Management, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences) [NL/EN]

Mobile translation apps can translate speech or text directly into another language so that you can communicate with speakers from other languages without interpreters or lingua franca.
Although they do not work as well for all language combinations, there is broad consensus that the quality of translations will increase as the underlying technology improves. However, the practical usability of the current generation of apps has hardly been researched. In this study, we have previously systematically mapped out research into mobile translation apps to gain insight into their usability in different contexts. The results show that the number of language combinations studied is limited. Previous research focuses mainly on error rates and less on user experiences. So, there is plenty of room for additional research into the fitness-for-purpose of mobile translation apps in different professional areas.

(2) Translators in times of crisis: COVID-19 and its impact on the Dutch translation market (first wave) [POSTER]

Tess Masselink (Utrecht University): Effects of COVID-19 on the translation market [NL/EN]

In this presentation, I will discuss the first effects of the pandemic on Dutch translators (their mental condition, relations with colleagues, revenues), their achievements (output quality and quantity?) and the work field (the type of texts, the number of jobs offered). This has been researched using a survey with open and closed questions. The closed questions have been statistically analysed in SPSS, and the open questions have been used to explain the statistical analysis results further. The main conclusion was that there was no singular outcome for all translators, despite the extensive results. The crisis has impacted everyone differently. That is why, in a situation such as this, translators need customised support, based on their needs.

(3) Changing the game of the translator: a study into the attitude of translation students and alumni regarding MT and PE [POSTER]

Pleuni van der Meer (Utrecht University) [NL]

To what extent will machine translation (MT) and post-editing (PE) change the translation market? We don’t yet know, but we can be reasonably sure that it will happen. However, various scientific studies show that translators’ attitude toward MT and PE is still mostly negative. This is in part due to the lack of knowledge and experience. It also seems that translation education can play a vital role in translation students’ attitude toward MT and PE: more and better education would ensure a more positive attitude. Because of this, I wanted to analyse this situation in the Netherlands, and I have researched the attitude of translation students and alumni toward MT and PE and the relationship with the translation training they have received. With this research I hope to contribute to the development of Dutch translation programmes that will help students be better prepared for the changing translation market in the future.

(4) MT Literacy: New forms of literacy for new generations of translators [POSTER]

Joop Bindels (Translation Academy/International Relationship Management, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences) [NL/EN]

Research in foreign language learning indicates that students learning a foreign language make use of machine translation on a very regular basis, mostly to look up vocabulary, like one would use a dictionary. In my research I looked at MT usage by first-year students in translation: to what extent do these particular students use MT? Does their use of MT differ from that of foreign language students? And could this ‘premature’ use of MT serve as a stepping stone for a comprehensive approach to MT and post-editing in translator training, making them not only digitally literate, but also ‘MT literate’?