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Article published In: Translation, Cognition & Behavior
Vol. 7:2 (2024) ► pp.291–310

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Augmentation and translation crowdsourcing

Are collaborative translators’ minds truly “augmented”?

ORCiD logo with link | Rutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJ
Published online: 20 November 2023
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/tcb.00079.jim
Abstract
This paper critically discusses how crowdsourcing relate to the emergence of the so-called translation augmentation paradigm. As a broad generalization, these two technology-driven phenomena emerged as possible solutions to achieve better, more efficient or speedier solutions to complex problems than those that single individuals can solve on their own. They both can be contextualized within 4EA approaches to cognition, reframing problem-solving towards a distributed and extended perspective that goes beyond the limitations of the individual mind. Nevertheless, augmented translation refers to the coupling of human and machines in a technology-centric approach that attempts to increase the cognitive capabilities of translators, who remain in the loop and in charge (Lommel, Arle. 2020. “Augmented Translation: Are we there yet?” [URL]; Angelone, Erik. 2023. “Weaving Adaptive Expertise into Translator Training.” In The Human Translator in the 2020s. Edited by Garry Massey, Elisa Huertas Barros & David Katan. 60–73. New York-London: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar). It relates to existing technological integrated systems beyond just the automation brought by TM and MT that learn and adapt from humans. The paper (1) interrelates distributed and extended cognitive approaches and crowdsourcing (Risku, Hanna, Regina Rogl & Christina Pein-Webber. 2016. “Mutual Dependencies: Centrality in translation networks”. Jostrans: The Journal of Specialized Translation 251: 1–22.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; Jiménez-Crespo, Miguel A. 2017. Crowdsourcing and Online Collaborative Translation: Expanding the limits of Translation Studies. New York-Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; Risku & Windhager 2020) in relation to AI and intelligence augmentation (IA), (2) analyzes the existing fuzziness in the theoretical and conceptual constructs to translation augmentation, (3) explores issues related to the locus of control and the center of the cognitive system in augmented crowdsourcing, as well as (4) looks ahead by introducing unexplored areas such as social augmentation. In doing so, the paper will attempt to answer whether human translators in crowdsourcing initiatives are, in fact, “in charge” and – or augmented.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.First steps: Interrelating distributed and extended cognition, crowdsourcing and augmentation
  • 3.Defining augmentation
    • 3.1Is translation exclusively problem solving? Of augmentation, routine / complex tasks and crowdsourcing
    • 3.2The blurred borders between AI and Augmentation in translation crowdsourcing
  • 4.Between AI and AI: Augmentation and the locus of control
  • 5.Moving forward: From social augmentation and motivation to task prioritization
  • 6.Conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
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