Resources

This section presents a selection of my articles on cross-cultural communications, translation technology and marketing. Mostly for ITI Bulletin, but also Language International, The Linguist and Translatortips/Tranfree.

I will add to these articles as and when time permits. Some of the most valuable articles are at the end.

If there is anything you would particularly like to see, please let me know at michael@michaelbenis.com and I’ll do my best to post it promptly. Please bear in mind that my work commitments are sometimes extreme, however, and I cannot undertake to always respond as promptly as I’d like.

The articles here simply show the copy and not the layout and screen grabs, so you will see [Panel] for example rather than a panel of text, or picture.jpg and not the picture itself. The full printed versions showing everything may still be available from the publishers. None of the articles here are, however, less than two years old. More recent articles can be obtained from ITI and IoL.

Finally, please note that I retain copyright in all articles, although you are welcome to cite from them briefly, crediting their authorship in the usual manner.

That’s the end of the small print. I hope you enjoy the articles and find them helpful!

This was the first big comparative review of and introduction to Computer Aided Translation or Translation Memory tools published in ITI Bulletin. Though dating back to 1999 it still seems to be quite widely used as a basic introductory to the technology and continues to be cited in translation studies literature, so it was an obvious first choice.

It’s a big article, so make sure you have a large mug of tea to hand! It’s reprinted here in 5 parts and then followed up by what was part 2 of this extended review, which incorporated feedback from ITI members both at their annual conference and through ITI Bulletin.

Translation Memory from O to R

Resources

Published by Translation International in 2000, this article was an early attempt to encourage freelance translators to centre their career development on bringing added value to their clients and on communicating this rather than placing blind faith in the power of translation technology.

How the memory measured up

This is the second part of the ITI Bulletin review, published in 2000 to incorporate and comment on user feedback. Don’t worry it’s a good deal shorter than part one, taking up just 3 web pages compared to 5.

Increasing your income and the technology trap

This valedictory article in the last issue of Language International, published in 2002, continues the above consideration of the role of the translator and how they can best support their clients.

Read on!

To Nirvana and beyond

Published in the Tranfree newsletter of Translatortips.com in 2001, this article tackled the contentious issue of differential rates for different translation memory matches.

Is translation memory losing you money?

A summary of the pros and cons of CAT first published in The Linguist in 2003.

Letting the CAT out of the bag

This comprehensive guide to marketing yourself as a freelance translator was first published in ITI Bulletin in 2001. it’s a long article provided here in five parts.

Setting your stall out

A review of Systran 2.00 Professional and therefore in some respects quite out of date, this article - first published in ITI Bulletin in 1999, continues to be valued for its consideration of how professional translators may be able to benefit from using a Machine Translation tool.

MT promises

This long comparative review and introduction to speech recognition was published in ITI Bulletin in 1999. Although much of the information on the technology and products is now out of date, it continues to sought after as a good introduction to the benefits and use of the technology for translators. It is provided in four parts on this website.

It’s good to talk

A follow-up article on speech recognition, including user reports on performance in a variety of languages other than English, also published in ITI Bulletin in 1999. In two parts.

Talking yourself out of trouble

Published in ITI Bulletin in 2000. Although out of date on the product front, Bert’s guide is still one of the best and clearest around.

Review of A Practical Guide to Software Localisation by Bert Esselink.

Published in ITI Bulletin in 2003. Provides a good overview of the technology available to translators.

Review of A Translator’s Toolbox for the 21st Century by Jost Zetzsche .

Review of the dictionary program Babylon Pro 5.0 published in ITI Bulletin in 2004.

Babylon Pro 5.00

Article published in ITI Bulletin in 2004.

Placements and gaining experience

Article published in ITI Bulletin in 2004 on the much-misunderstood community interpreting model which - unlike other interpreting models - cannot simply lay down a series of inviolable rules. Contains interviews with practitioners, users and trainers. Provided her e in three parts.

The Community Interpreting Model

Article examining the benefits of specialisation for freelance translators, published in ITI Bulletin in 2006. Provided here in two parts.

Specialisation is as specialisation does

Introduction to PC security and comparative review of Internet security and antivirus programs, published in ITI Bulletin in 2005. Provided here in two parts.

Comprehensively protected

A consideration of professionalism and professional standards in the translation industry. First published in ITI Bulletin in 2004. Provided here in two parts.

What is professionalism?

An examination of quality issues on the translation industry and how they are impacted by translation technology. First published in ITI Bulletin in 2005. Provided here in two parts.

Quality and the translation market?

An overview of machine translation usage and a more up-to-date comparative review of programs suitable for professional translators. First published in ITI Bulletin in 2005. Provided here in two parts.