A Computer-Assisted Translation and Writing System

Abstract

We introduce a method for learning to predict text and grammatical construction in a computer-assisted translation and writing framework. In our approach, predictions are offered on the fly to help the user make appropriate lexical and grammar choices during the translation of a source text, thus improving translation quality and productivity. The method involves automatically generating general-to-specific word usage summaries (i.e., writing suggestion module), and automatically learning high-confidence word-or phrase-level translation equivalents (i.e., translation suggestion module). At runtime, the source text and its translation prefix entered by the user are broken down into n-grams to generate grammar and translation predictions, which are further combined and ranked via translation and language models. These ranked prediction candidates are iteratively and interactively displayed to the user in a pop-up menu as translation or writing hints. We present a prototype writing assistant, TransAhead, that applies the method to a human-computer collaborative environment. Automatic and human evaluations show that novice translators or language learners substantially benefit from our system in terms of translation performance (i.e., translation accuracy and productivity) and language learning (i.e., collocation usage and grammar). In general, our methodology of inline grammar and text predictions or suggestions has great potential in the field of computer-assisted translation, writing, or even language learning.

Impact of computer-assisted translation tools by novice translators on the quality of written translations

“…A translator must be competent in many aspects, and ability to work with specialized software is extremely important in the implementation of translation activities. A special place among ICT in the professional activity of a translator is occupied by computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, which greatly simplify and speed up the translation process (HUANG et al, 2013). In the translation industry, machine translation systems are widely used by both large translation companies and freelance translators.…”

Using Wordfast Anywhere Computer-assisted Translation (CAT) Tool to Develop English Majors' EFL Translation Skills

“…From the cognitive perspective, it affected the cognitive effort by reducing the cognitive load when conducting preliminary translations (Baraniello et al, 2016;Mellinger, 2014;Rădulescu, 2015). From the linguistic perspective, CAT supported lexico-grammatical knowledge (Huang, Chen, Yang & Chang, 2013), enhanced writing performance (Huang et al, 2013;Kazemzadeh, 2014) and ultimately fostered language learning (Fernández-Parra, 2016). From the affective perspective, it raised students' engagement and collaborative learning (Baraniello et al, 2019;Bilić, 2020).…”

Evaluation of Computer Assisted Translation and its Teaching Application in English Translation

“…The application of CAT in college English translation teaching was also investigated by questionnaires, in which teachers and students' subjective recognition of CAT was collected. Interviews were used to understand the current teaching strategies of CAT (Huang, Yang, Yang & Chang, 2013).…”