计算机辅助口译技术在翻译实践中的可用性研究

Exploring the usability of computer-assisted interpreting technology in English-Chinese translation

翻译技术飞速发展,其在实践中的运用也越来越广泛。本文基于可用性评估框架,从产出速度、译文质量和接受程度三个维度探讨计算机辅助口译技术,即语音识别技术在英汉口译和翻译实践中的可用性,并讨论其对口笔译教学的启示。该研究采用屏幕录制、译文评价和问卷调查的方法,选取46名英语专业本科生为被试,分别用键盘敲字和语音识别技术进行口述译文转写的方式完成英译汉翻译任务。根据线性混合效应模型统计结果,发现运用语音识别技术进行同传和翻译的工作模式能提高翻译速度和译文的表达效果,学生对其接受程度也较高。研究表明,语音识别技术在口笔译教学中的确具有一定的应用价值。

As translation technology develops, its application in translation practices has become more extensive. This article explores the usability of computer-assisted interpreting technology, namely automatic speech recognition(ASR) in interpreting and translation from English to Chinese and discusses the implications for interpreting and translation teaching. The ASR usability has been assessed from three dimensions, namely the output speed and the output quality as well as the acceptance of the technology. Forty-six undergraduate students of English major are invited to complete two comparable translation tasks by typing their translations and speaking out their interpretations using ASR. The results of linear mixed effects model show that using ASR can improve the output speed and the target language quality, and that students react favorably to the application of ASR in interpreting and translation practices. The findings suggest that the ASR technology have indeed important pedagogical implications and should therefore be included in interpreting and translation curriculum.