Overview

The Routledge Handbook of Translation Technology and Society offers the first comprehensive and critical exploration of translation technologies in the context of globalised multilingual societies within an increasingly AI-dominated world. This handbook calls for a fundamental rethinking of traditional approaches to translation, examining the ethical, ideological, socioeconomic, and environmental implications of digital tools and practices, such as professional AI-driven translation, ‘everyday’ machine translation, crowdsourcing translation, or platform-based translation work. It provides deep insights into pressing issues such as the commodification of language, inclusivity in so called low-resource languages, data colonialism, and labour exploitation. By questioning conventional science narratives and advocating for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable applications of translation technologies, this handbook empowers readers to engage critically with current trends and challenges in the digital age. Readers will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that combines novel theoretical foundations with empirical research and practical case studies. It serves as a foundational reference and a springboard for (critical) future research in an evolving – sociotechnical – translation ecosystem where the blurring boundaries between human and machinic agents foster new modes of translator-machine interaction. This handbook is an essential resource for academics, researchers, and professionals in translation studies, digital humanities, science and technology studies, or (digital) discourse studies.

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9781032221427

Table of Contents

Reviews

This much-awaited volume explores the transformative effects of translation technologies, offering a range of critical and nuanced perspectives. Bridging theory and practice, and without falling into the common pitfalls of biased and deterministic thinking, this is an indispensable resource for academics and practitioners alike. Akiko Sakamoto, Kansai University, Japan The book is a compelling account of a networked global world where technology impacts on language, translation politics, the knowledge economy, and labour. It explores a reality where Translation Machines have become a daily tool for laypeople. In six coherent parts, the authors challenge us to rethink our assumptions and beliefs about technology’s pivotal role in a large variety of contexts. A timely volume worth reading! Yves Gambier, University of Turku, Finland This is a broad-ranging, excellent collection of perspectives on the key sociotechnical issues brought about by AI-driven translation technology. With contributions from key voices in translation studies, it is a landmark contribution to a nascent sociology of translation technology. Sharon O’Brien, Dublin City University, Ireland

Author Information

Stefan Baumgarten is currently Head of the Department of Translation Studies at the University of Graz, Austria, where he is leading the research cluster Translation, Ethics and Digital Transformation. His research centres on the societal impact of translation technologies, (critical) translation theories, posthuman conceptions of translation, and the role of translation as an ideological practice. Michael Tieber holds a PhD in translation studies and is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Graz, Austria. His doctoral research focused on the concept of translation within machine translation research and development. His current project examines how machine translation is perceived and framed by various stakeholders, including news outlets, the language industry, and social media platforms.

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