TECHNOLOGY FOR TRANSLATION: APPROACHES AND TOOLS (SPANISH)

The course Technologies for Translation: Tools and Methods (Spanish), designed for third-year students in Language and Cultural Mediation, provides a systematic overview of the technological ecosystem in professional translation. The module aims to develop theoretical and practical skills for the informed use of digital tools, analyzing the evolution of the global market in light of industry reports (such as ELIS reports), the EMT competence framework, and recent ethical and quality standards, including the AI Act and the ISO 18587 standard for post-editing. Through both theoretical and applied activities, the course will explore the use of major Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, focusing on the progressive application of RWS Trados Studio features. Significant emphasis will also be placed on the interaction between human and machine translation (NMT systems and generative AI), with a critical focus on the limitations of these technologies in pragmatic contexts and post-editing practices. The overall goal is to train a professional capable of rigorously and efficiently integrating linguistic expertise with advanced technological tools.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course "Technologies for Translation: Tools and Methods (Spanish)" aims to provide students with the theoretical, methodological, and practical skills necessary to operate knowledgeably in today's professional translation ecosystem. Upon successful completion of the course, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
• Understand the current structure of the translation market, the role of leading professional associations in Europe, and industry trends derived from sector reports (such as the ELIS report).
• Comprehend the evolution of the translator competence framework according to the EMT (European Master's in Translation) model in light of the impact of new technologies.
• Know the regulatory and ethical frameworks governing technology in the translation sector, with specific reference to the AI Act and the ISO 18587 standard for post-editing.
• Understand the architecture and functionality of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) systems, focusing on RWS Trados Studio for both freelance translators and project management workflows.
• Understand the operating principles of machine translation (NMT systems and generative AI) and the types of errors produced, with special emphasis on the factors causing failures at the pragmatic and textual levels.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
• Critically identify and analyze machine translation errors (NMT and generative AI), determining their pragmatic and contextual causes, and effectively execute pre-editing and post-editing tasks.
• Master the primary features of RWS Trados Studio applied to both freelance translating (managing individual projects, translation memories, and termbases) and project management requirements.
• Identify and resolve translation challenges in the Spanish-Italian language pair through the integrated use of technologies.
• Autonomously and consciously manage a complete translation workflow within a digital environment.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
• Critically evaluate the role and impact of emerging technologies (generative AI and NMT) in the Spanish-Italian translation process, recognizing their advantages, risks, and operational limits.
• Develop a conscious ethical and professional attitude aligned with industry quality standards (ISO 18587, AI Act) and ongoing transformations in the global market.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Plan and carry out a professional translation project by appropriately integrating technological tools and terminological resources.
• Interact effectively within a professional translation context (with clients, peers, and project managers), demonstrating command of specialized technical terminology and digital workflow processes.
LEARNING SKILLS
• Autonomously and critically consult, adopt, and update key technologies and digital resources for translation, applying them appropriately in response to ongoing industry innovations.

Students should have a linguistic-communicative competence in Spanish equal to level B2/C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages and have possibly passed the exam on the introduction to editorial, specialised translation and the exam on spanish language and translation 2.

1. The Translation Market and Industry Frameworks
• Translation industry analysis and market insights: the ELIS report.
• European and national trade associations (EUATC, Unilingue) and European bodies (DGT, LIND).
• Regulatory and ethical frameworks: the European AI Act.
• The ISO 18587 standard for post-editing: scope, terms, light vs. full post-editing processes, and post-editor qualification requirements.
• Evolution of translator competencies (EMT framework) in the AI era: linguistic-cultural, transfer, research, interpersonal, and service-provision competencies.
2. Machine Translation (MT/NMT), Generative AI, and Pragmatic Analysis
• Limitations and challenges of machine translation in pragmatic and cultural contexts:
o Culture-bound terms (culturemes) and realia.
o Phraseological expressions, idioms, and colloquial language (intensification).
o Intertextuality, Irony, humor, and metaphors.
• Generative AI applied to translation and principles of Prompt Engineering.
• Integration and evaluation of Neural Machine Translation (NMT) within CAT environments.
3. Computer-Assisted Translation Tools (CAT Tools: RWS Trados Studio)
• Project and Workflow Management: creating single- and multi-document projects, project templates, advanced project configuration, project packages, and Trados Studio Cloud features.
• Terminology and Memory Management: creation and management of termbases, document alignment, maintenance and advanced management of translation memories (fragment matching and PerfectMatch).
• Quality Assurance and Revision: Quality Assurance (QA) checking, terminology verification, and translation review workflows.

Compulsory texts

- Sánchez Ramos, M. M. & Rico Pérez, C. (2020). Traducción Automática. Conceptos clave, procesos de evaluación y técnicas de posedición. Editorial Comares, Granada.

- Rico Pérez, C. y Sánchez Ramos, M.M. (2023). Traducción automática en contextos especializados. Peter Lang, Berlín.

Assessment of learning takes the form of a structured written examination, lasting a total of 90 minutes, designed to assess students’ grasp of the theoretical and methodological content covered during the course. The exam may include various types of questions, including multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, practical questions regarding the interface of the CAT tools used and open-ended questions requiring argumentation, designed to assess understanding of the main concepts relating to translation technologies and the IT resources analysed during the lectures.

The minimum pass mark for the written examination is set at 18/30.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Grades range from 18 to 30 points. A minimum of 18 points must be achieved to pass the course.
Grading of the grade is determined by:
- knowledge of topics covered in class and in reference texts (range 1/3)
- ability to use the proposed technologies (range 10 points)
- use of appropriate metalinguistic and translation terminology (range 1/3)

The lectures, held entirely in Spanish, will be mainly seminar-based, with the aid of power points for the presentation of issues related to IT in translation. Student participation and involvement will be encouraged through practical tests and translation projects aimed at simulating the professional practice of translation. Students will present their translation proposals in the classroom, which will then be discussed in plenary.

Lessons will be in Spanish and students must attend the 75% of the course.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development