Risk and trust in translation (a seminar)

TL;DR

Trust plays a critical role in the field of translation, especially as machine translation becomes more prevalent. Certification and signaling are essential for building trust and ensuring quality work.

Transcript

andraia talk about trust with you I've mentioned it a bit because I think that machine translation pushes us towards that aspect of the human to human relationship which is a trust relationship we have to get people to trust us why because they don't know the other language that's why they come to a translator in theory okay it's a bit like people ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 Trust is essential in the translation industry, as clients rely on translators to accurately convey information in languages they do not understand.
• 🥺 Lack of trust can lead to market collapse, with bad translations flooding the market and causing prices to drop.
• 💦 Certification and signaling systems, such as qualifications and experience, are crucial in building trust and ensuring quality work.
• 🎰 Technology can impact trust levels, with clients being cautious about translations produced using machine translation.
• ✅ Trust can be improved through online reviews and feedback systems, as well as personal recommendation and reference checks.
• 🥺 Building thick trust, based on personal relationships, can be beneficial, but it can also lead to compromising professional decisions.
• 🍉 Feedback in translation is often limited to problems or errors, creating a signaling gap in terms of quality.
• 🤗 Clients and translators should aim for open and clear communication to address trust issues and ensure mutual understanding.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does lack of trust impact the translation market?

Lack of trust can lead to market collapse, as seen in the used car market, where the presence of bad cars caused prices to drop and good cars to stay out of the market. In the translation industry, lack of trust can result in clients accepting low-quality translations or translators leaving the industry.

Q: How can certification and qualifications improve trust in translation?

Certification and qualifications serve as signals of a translator's expertise and quality of work, helping to build trust with clients. Clients are more likely to trust and pay higher prices to translators who have industry certifications or relevant qualifications.

Q: Why are signaling systems important in translation?

Signaling systems, such as certifications and qualifications, provide clients with information about a translator's skills and experience, which helps establish trust. These signals assure clients that the translator is reliable and capable of providing quality work.

Q: How does technology impact trust in translation?

Technology, such as machine translation, can create uncertainty and affect trust levels. Clients may be wary of translations produced using machine translation, as they may fear inaccuracies or lack of quality. However, technology can also be used to build trust, such as through online reviews or feedback systems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Trust is crucial in the translation industry as clients rely on translators to accurately convey information in a language they do not understand.

• Lack of trust can lead to market collapse, as seen in the used car market where bad cars flooded the market, causing prices to drop.

• Certification and signaling systems are important in building trust, such as translator qualifications, experience, and certification programs.

• The rise of technology and electronic communications can affect trust levels, as more distance and complexity can lead to less trust.