Module: Translation Technology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Translation Technology
Module Code	TRA1009 (ITS: LC501)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

Aiming to develop knowledge, skills and competence in the field of translation technology, this module introduces students to specialist technologies used in the translation industry, giving students hands-on experience of these technologies, and encouraging critical reflection on their value. Students are expected to attend lectures and laboratory sessions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of translation memory technology.
2. Use at least one commercial translation memory tool.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of contemporary machine translation.
4. Optimize texts for machine translation or for human translation completed using a translation memory tool.
5. Critically evaluate contemporary translation technologies and texts produced using these technologies.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	No Description
Laboratory	24	Hands-on sessions
Independent Study	214	work with translation memory tools and machine translation systems; set reading and independent reading; preparation of assignments
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10931	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sheila Castilho	Module Teacher	Joss Moorkens

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Practical project requiring students to use the Analyse tool in a Translation Memory system and to carry out a substantial amount of translation a Translation Memory system, with a view to ascertaining the properties of source texts that make them amenable to TM-supported translation. Students deliver a commentary on the analysis and translation process.	40%	Week 7
Project	Machine translation project. Typically students evaluate a machine translation system, using a variety of techniques, and report on their findings in a critical 3,000 word essay.	60%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Technology applications in modern translation practices
Students will be sensitised to a range of trechnologies routinely used in modern translation offices.

Familialisation with translation memory technology
Students will be familiarised with translation memory technology as the key computer-aided tool used in the profession.

Introduction to machine translation technology
Students will develop an understanding of the state of the art machine translation and related technologies and their applications in the profession.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bowker, Lynne: 2002, Computer Aided Translation Technology: A Practical Introduction, Ottawa University Press, Ottawa,
Daelemans, W. & Hoste, V.: 0, Linguistica Antverpiensia: Evaluation of Translation Technology 8/2009,
Hartley, T.: 2009, The Routledge Companion to Translation Studies, Routledge, London/New York, 106-127,
Hutchins, John and Somers, Harold: 1992, An Introduction to Machine Translation, Academic Press, London/San Diego, chapters 1-7,
O'Hagan, M.: 2009, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies, 2nd, Computer-aided Translation (CAT), Routledge, London, 48-51,
Quah, Kim Chuah: 2006, Translation and Technology, Palgrave Macmillan, New York,
Somers, Harold: 2003, Computers and Translation: A translator s guide, John Benjamins, Amsterdam/Philadelphia,
Trujillo, Arturo: 1999, Translation Engines: techniques for machine translation, Springer, London,
Sprung, Robert (ed): 2000, Translating into Success: Cutting-edge strategies for going multilingual in a global age, John Benjamins, Amsterdam/Philadelphia,

Articles:

Garcia, I.: 2010, Is machine translation ready yet?, Target, 22(1), 7-21, 520603
2007: Translation memories and parallel corpora: challenges for the translation trainer, Across Boundaries: International Perspectives on Translation, 192-208, 520604, 2
‘Fan Translation Networks: An Accidental Translator Training Environment?’: Translator and Interpreter Training: Issues, Methods and Debates London: Continuum, 158-183,

Other Resources

None