Ethical issues regarding machine(-assisted) translation of literary texts

Abstract

This article investigates essential ethical issues that should be taken into consideration when adopting or tailoring technological tools for literary translation. The discussion on ethical issues draws on recent studies on translation technology and on the usage of machine (-assisted) translation for literary language. An overview of the consequences of the recent increase in technologization for both non-literary and literary translation is provided and an argument for sustainable development in literary translation is made, based on a holistic understanding of translation quality. The notion of voice is taken as an example of the special challenges related to the translation of literary language, which research on machine (-assisted) translation of literary language has not yet sufficiently taken into account. Lastly, avant-garde aesthetic views and usages of machine translation are presented through the notion of noise.

Translating science fiction in a CAT tool: machine translation and segmentation settings

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La traduction littéraire automatique : Adapter la machine à la traduction humaine individualisée

“…Les risques n'ont néanmoins pas uniquement trait au statut des professionnel•le•s, mais aussi à la qualité et à la créativité des traductions produites. La majeure partie des préoccupations soulevées découlerait ainsi d'une utilisation aveugle et non raisonnée de cette technologie, en particulier si elle a uniquement vocation à remplacer l'humain pour des raisons de coût et de productivité [Taivalkoski-Shilov, 2019]. De la même manière, il sera pareillement important de voir quel serait l'impact sur la créativité.…”

Research on the Application of Computer-Assisted Translation Technology in Translation Teaching

“…e focus of the American interactive language teaching method is to take students as the center. According to the individual characteristics of students and the di erences in teaching resources, teachers adopt diversi ed and exible teaching methods according to their own teaching characteristics, so as to avoid students' passive learning state [2] ]. e application of the interactive language learning method in translation teaching helps students to have a deep understanding of translation theories and techniques.…”