The minimalist translator: 2024

“How many languages do you speak?”

As my workload had eased off a bit at the end of August, I jumped at the chance to finally have a go at creating another video log (or vlog) and release it. It’s about 3 common misconceptions about what a translator is or what a translator does. You can find it on YouTube or watch it here on my blog.

The inspiration for this vlog came from a brief conversation which I overheard while checking into my accommodation ahead of the ITI Conference in Edinburgh a few months ago. Another translator, who was also checking in, mentioned her profession to the friendly receptionist, who then immediately asked: “How many languages?”

It’s a question I, too, am frequently asked whenever my job as a translator comes up in small talk. It’s a vlog-worthy topic in my opinion as people usually are surprised (or disappointed) to learn that I do NOT speak 5 or 10 languages.

A translator is not an interpreter

I’m a translator (not an interpreter), I work with two foreign languages, and I don’t have to speak much as part of my job. Translators work with the written word, whereas interpreters handle the spoken word.

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“New world, new work” was the theme of the ITI Conference 2024, held at the John McIntyre Conference Centre in Edinburgh (and online) on 4 and 5 June. The event featured engaging speakers, thought-provoking keynotes, and useful sessions, many of which explored the challenges in the new world of work where artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly encroaches upon the territory of translators and interpreters.

What does the future hold for translators and interpreters
in an AI-dominated world?

Mingling with like-minded professionals is always a delight, and I felt warmly welcomed by everyone I encountered. ITI conferences are renowned for being vibrant events where practical knowledge is shared, generous advice is given, and inspiring ideas are conveyed in an open, convivial and friendly atmosphere.

The urgent need to adapt to AI

My motivation for attending was twofold: meeting or reconnecting with fellow professionals and friends within ITI as well as comparing notes with them; and seeking guidance on how to brace myself for the new AI world. I translate patents and so far have not yet had to “post-edit” a machine translation myself. I can’t help wondering for how much longer I’ll actually be able to carry on working in my bubble.

A key message conveyed at the conference was the urgent need to adapt our skills to the far reaching challenges posed by AI. AI is already demonstrating remarkable capabilities, and I have no doubt it will continue to improve at mind-boggling speed. What does the future hold for me and other translators as well as interpreters?

As Sara Robertson, ITI’s new Chief Executive, pointed out in her keynote speech, we need to increase our ability and willingness to be resilient, adaptable, entrepreneurial, our own marketing team, the solution to our clients’ problems, and professionals. She proposed that if the theme of the conference is “New world, new work”, then perhaps there also needs to be a new you!

To compete with AI, we will need to be resilient, adaptable, entrepreneurial,
our own marketing team, the solution to our clients’ problems, and professionals

A tool for generating ideas and first drafts

It was suggested in several sessions that AI is just a tool. It can therefore, for example, act as an idea generator in SEO translation, as mentioned by Tess Whitty MITI in her talk “Adding SEO expertise to compete with AI”. According to Bex Elder MITI in her talk “Raging against the machine: Is translation really dying?”, AI could serve as a helpful starting point in translation. Terence Lewis MITI, in his conversation with Cate Avery FITI on the topic “AI: Will there be a place for me?”, pointed out that AI output can be considered a first draft and could be useful for brainstorming.

Terence predicted that the first stage of the translation process will eventually be taken over by AI, but he also stressed that AI can easily get the wrong end of the stick. After all, AI cannot understand people, languages, and cultures; it just understands numbers. AI cannot read between the lines, which is so important in translation and interpreting. While we must absolutely acknowledge the benefits of AI, we should also make clients aware of the risks involved in using it.

The ITI Conference 2024 was held in Edinburgh
on 4 and 5 June 2024

Your accent defines who you are

The conference programme was varied and so vast that reporting in detail on individual talks would go beyond the scope of this blog article. I’m therefore sharing just a few of my own impressions and gleanings. Note that the points mentioned here were not necessarily the key points in the relevant session, but stood out for me personally.

Do interpreters’ accents matter? I’m not an interpreter, but the title of Katherine Dagleish’s session appealed to me instantly. Since I’ve become (perhaps excessively) self-conscious about my accent, it was interesting to learn that even native speakers can feel insecure because of their native accents. Katherine reported that, according to a poll, 10% of adults felt teased because they didn’t have “the right accent”, while 17% felt they had missed out on jobs because of it. It is important to realise – to quote from one of Katherine’s slides – that your accent defines who you are and can also locate you economically and socially.

My most enjoyable ITI conference ever

I would like to extend huge thanks to the organisers for putting on this wonderful and beneficial event and also for the lovely bamboo coaster! By the way, it spoke to my minimalist heart that on registration, in addition to my name badge, I wasn’t handed the usual bag full of leaflets and freebies this time. The only real niggle I can think of was the use of cheap plastic plates, glasses and cups in the cafeteria during lunch, which seemed slightly out of place in the otherwise sophisticated environment of the conference centre.

The John McIntyre Conference Centre was a perfect venue

The John McIntyre Conference Centre, with its stunning backdrop of Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat in the charming city of Edinburgh, was, in my opinion, a perfect location. Many of us stayed in the student accommodation a very short distance from the venue. It was the most convenient room I’d ever booked for a conference as I could see the venue entrance from my bedroom window, perfect for quick breathers during this fast-paced and intense event!

For me, this felt like the most enjoyable ITI conference ever, although I can’t quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it’s because the “less grand” venue of the John McIntyre Conference Centre felt more comfortable. Or perhaps it’s simply because I have finally learnt how to manage my energy a bit better during a large-scale event such as this one.

Uneasiness about AI and a sense of positivity

All in all, the ITI Conference has once again provided me with the opportunity to learn, network and evolve a bit more as a professional translator. I am still feeling uneasy about our new world of work in which AI is becoming ubiquitous, but I have come away with a renewed sense of positivity and confidence about what I do and what might lie ahead.