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Article published In: Babel
Vol. 67:1 (2021) ► pp.36–53

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Changing translation practices and moving boundaries in translation studies

 | University of Turku
 | Kaunas University of Technology
Published online: 2 April 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00204.gam
Abstract
This article aims at describing the changes in translation by referring to practices such as localization, amateur translation, translating in the media. The changes are enhanced by the computing, information, and communication technologies. In three decades, a new work environment has shaken up the translator’s world. New types of translators are emerging, with a new hierarchy between them, in parallel with a multiplication of labels created for “translation.” The concept of translation has, therefore, become ambiguous and, relating to it, other concepts, such as text, need to be revisited.
Résumé
Notre article a pour objectif de saisir les changements liés à certaines pratiques de traduction comme la localisation, la traduction par des non-professionnels et la traduction dans les médias. De tels changements sont induits par les technologies de l’information et de la communication. En trois décennies, un nouvel environnement de travail est en effet apparu, secouant le monde des traducteurs et imposant de nouvelles hiérarchies. Dans cette évolution rapide, le concept de traduction et d’autres concepts afférents comme celui de texte nécessitent d’être réinterrogés.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Multiple roles and positions of translation
  • Traditional and new translation practices: Beyond a mechanical view of translation
  • Digitalization, translation, and translators
    • Translation and localization
    • Going digital: Different modes of working and myriad types of users
  • Translating in the media
  • A future to build
  • Notes
  • References
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