Resource management for future translators and translation project managers.

The paper reports on Translation Office Simulation, a language technology course for graduate students at the Department of Applied Linguistics (School for Translation and Interpreting) of Erasmushogeschool Brussels. During the course, trainee translators move chronologically through the different phases of a complete multilingual translation project cycle. At each step they are given the means to learn about different technology tools that are (or can be) used in a professional setting, and to assess their distinct impact on the translation process: desktop-publishing systems, terminology extractors, terminology management systems, translation memories, machine translation systems, proofing tools, workflow systems and project management systems. Likewise, students are given the means to understand and experience different task-related roles in a fragmented translation process, such as the roles of account manager, vendor manager, client, project manager, terminologist, translator, reviewer, DTP-operator, system administrator, and software engineer. In combining hands-on experience with different tools and insights into different tasks and responsibilities in a multilingual translation setting we aim to facilitate students' transition to translation industry. Above all, we try to convince students of the many varied career opportunities they face in a rapidly changing and increasingly demanding job market.
As far as the choice of language technology tools is concerned, we try, within the bounds of possibility and availability, to systematically contrast tools with similar functionality but different implementation strategies. For instance, we use term extraction tools and machine translation systems that are based on a linguistic approach and similar tools that are based on a statistical approach. We use translation memories in batch mode and in interactive mode, memory tools that are used as add-ins to Microsoft Word and memory tools that provide an independent translation processing environment. By systematically contrasting different implementation strategies we encourage students to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of various designs in terms of their effect on such factors as functionality, efficiency, reliability, usability, learnability and value for money. In this way we hope to prepare them for efficient and effective deployment of technology resources in their professional careers as translators and translation project managers.