A Reflective Account on Human Translation and Interpreting Faced with the Automated Text and Speech Processing Tools

Abstract

This reflection aims to depict the prospective position and role of translation and interpreting in the globalised world. Demographic factors point to a long-lasting multilingualism, which reflects the co-existence of linguistic identities within a variety of settings. From schools, to workplaces and communities, different languages are and will continue to be in use. In many countries, there is an increasing wave of using vernacular and migrant languages in education. However, the current global academic discourse on language situations does not sufficiently reflect this new looming reality. The focus of translation and interpreting studies has traditionally been placed on those languages that were perceived as internationally important. One would assume that economic and diplomatic interests have influenced that approach and attitude. With changes affecting the globalised world in relation to the rise of some emerging economies and new resources, it is clear that the interlingual communication will be one of the greatest challenges of the coming age. In this regard, a new paradigm in overall language promotion and education must be formulated within which human translation and interpretation continue be seen as important skills to be generally acquired.