Machine Translation Textual Error Analysis and Post Editing

Abstract

Notion of conducting this study comes with the objective of investigating the extent of using Machine Translation (commonly abbreviated as MT) by the professional translators and students of translation. It scrutinizes whether MT provides them with a supplementary assistance that might increase the translation production and reduce the time required for translation. It enhances exploiting computer technology in the field of translation due largely to the huge demands for translation and the visible lack of translators, let alone the translation expense. According to the collected and analyzed data, researcher represents MT practicality in translation and translation practice monitoring the status quo of MT in classroom practice. A select number of professional translators (teachers) was chosen to fill out a questionnaire about MT. Another select number of students was also chosen and divided into two groups, one of them was supposed to translate texts from scratch, the other one was required to re-translate and correct the ready output of MT of the same texts (post-editing). Student were also required to fill out a questionnaire about their reflections and impression towards post editing the ready MT output. A comprehensible textual analysis of the raw MT output errors and students post editing with a comparison to students translation from scratch was conducted for determining problems that prevent producing intelligible translations when using MT. Noticeably, findings showed positive personal impressions and attitudes towards MT by teachers and students of translation and indicated that they have the access mechanism to translate and post edit texts using MT (Google as common). Results show statistical difference in the time required for translation between the two groups of students as an indication that MT can provide certain contribution in translation and translation practice as well. newline