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Cloud-computing is gradually gaining its own place within the translation industry creating new needs and requirements for client-companies and translation agencies. Translators are expected to have the relevant skills to use software that is based on the cloud while project managers are gradually requested to centralise the management process through browsers that support systems whose aim is to provide as many features as possible to facilitate the whole translation process.
Duration
The course lasts 11 weeks and is normally offered 2 times a year.
This course is currently being re-designed into an Online Course in Translation Technology.
- Course Syllabus
Content
The course has been designed based on two main principles: practice and interaction. You will be provided with material covering various aspects of translation technology throughout the course, as well as guides designed specifically for translators and project managers, and focus will be placed on all the stages of a translation process. Every week will have a specific objective and you will be asked to complete tasks to reinforce the knowledge of the software. Online group meetings will be arranged, while you will also have access to training videos prepared for the needs of the particular course.
Topics
The course covers the following topics:
- Overview of cloud-based computing and translation technology
- Translation components and compatibility
- Translation process, project workflow and management on Memsource and XTM
During the course, participants have the chance to express their interest in various areas that are gradually scheduled and covered through the course, including project management, terminology extraction and machine translation.
- Student's Handbook
Students receive a detailed Student's Handbook with information about the course schedule, the material taught each week, instructions to get started with Moodle at UCL and an introduction to basic cloud tools.
- Certificate of Completion
You will receive a certificate of completion provided that you have completed the tasks assigned throughout the course.
- Tools
Two of the cloud-based translation solutions are used in this course to train translators, project managers and students with mixed backgrounds to the new reality of the translation industry.
XTM Cloud is a versatile solution that allows translation, update and localisation of large volumes of content. XTM is provided in the form of a suite or as a standalone cloud-based system for freelancers or larger groups, facilitating easy access and collaboration through a secure and robust platform. The software has been provided on the cloud since 2010 featuring partnerships with various translation management systems, like Plunet, machine translation systems, such as KantanMT, and multipurpose language platforms, like Microsoft Translator.
Memsource Cloud was launched in 2011 and provides a complete translation environment that supports various file types within a user-friendly interface. With real-time monitoring of all steps included in the translation process, project managers can benefit from this centralised environment. The software is available for businesses as well as translators. It incorporates an offline editor and various features, while it supports a number of machine translation plug-ins, including those provided by Systran and Moravia.
Desktop-based software will be used to model the migration process from the desktop to the cloud, while they will also facilitate an overview of hybrid systems used by translators. For these purposes, we will refer to Trados Studio and memoQ, their add-ons and SDL and Kilgray cloud-based technologies. Wordfast Anywhere and the Google Translator Toolkit are also used for our introductory tasks while the Google Cloud Suite is the first suite of cloud-based tools you will learn to use for your introduction to cloud technologies.
We will be looking into various cloud-based systems, relating their functionalities to those discussed in details, while participants will have the chance to elaborate on all the main steps of the translation process, including use of terminology, memory building and retrieval, data transfer, data conversion and more. Students will also have the chance to practice on certain skills, including project management and terminology management.
All licenses used in this course are kindly provided to the Centre of Translation Studies for the purposes of the specific course, under academic/university schemes, while some of them are open-source and some others are used on a trial basis as they do not form the main teaching software of the course.
- Language Combinations
This online course is open to all language combinations. Although most of the tasks inevitably involve practice in each participant's language pair, there will be no assessment of translation output since the aim of the course is to learn how to use the technologies.
- Practice and Evaluation
Tasks
One or two tasks are provided every week, to help students put their knowledge in practice and become confident with the software. Following these tasks, they collaborate, learn from each other and gradually complete all the steps that are later required in the assignments.
Assignments
Participants are asked to complete two assignments covering skills that they have acquired through the course. The main aim of the assignments is for students to practice on using the tools in real-life scenarios. Each assignment counts for 50%, with their total being 100%. Participants pass the course with 50%.
- Tutor
This course is taught by Emmanouela Patiniotaki, a professional and academic with more than 10 years of experience in language services. Emmanouela teaches translation technology closely following the trends of the industry and designs her courses based on what she foresees to be the next step in translation and technology. She has worked in various companies, including IBM, and provides services, among others on Google, Microsoft and Apple projects. Her research in Accessible Online Education has affected the way in which this online course has been designed, in order to respect the principles of accessibility and universal access to education. This course was designed in 2014 and was the first of its kind not only in the UK, but universally.
- Who Should Apply
The course is ideal for translators and project managers who want to enter the world of cloud-based translation technologies. It is intended for freelancers, in-house translators as well as students and teachers of translation. Although most of the tasks inevitably involve practice in each participant's language pair, there will be no assessment of translation output since the aim of the course is to learn how to use the technologies.
You must have a good knowledge of English and a high level of computer competence.
- How to Apply
Please download the application form below:
To apply, email your completed application form, together with a short CV, to selcs.centras-professional@ucl.ac.uk. Please write 'Online Course in Cloud-Based Translation Tools' in the subject line of your message.
- Fees and Payment
Tuition Fees
- £725 - Standard fee
- £652 - Affiliate rate*
- £616 - Returning participants who have already completed an online course with CenTraS
- £225 - CenTraS students/graduates/academic visitors/alumni.
*CenTraS professional courses affiliates: Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI), Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL), The Subtitlers' Association (SUBTLE), and local organisations including ATAV, ATA, APTRAD, PEM and Translators and Interpreters Australia. For information or to add your organisation to the list of affiliates, please contact the Professional Course Co-ordinator.
Payment and cancellations
Once you have been offered a place on the course, you will be sent details of how to pay via the University Online Store:
Please note:
- All payments must be made in full, in Pounds Sterling by debit or credit card.
- Places are not confirmed until payment is received, which must be at least one week before the course start date.
- Further Information
If you have any queries about this course, please contact us via e-mail: selcs.centras-professional@ucl.ac.uk
