Modeling translation task toward prototyping computer-aided translation system
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Date
2004-05
Authors
Ee Hsia, Teoh (Isabelle)
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Abstract
This thesis documents a human factors framework for modeling translation task to aid
prototyping computer-aided translation (CAT) system, guided by Cognition-ArtifactTask
paradigm. Translation task is constrained by human translators' (HTs) situated
cognition and external resources. Hence, it was crucial to understand what the HTs were
trying to achieve (their 'task goal'), what was needed, and the environment within
translation task context, in order to design a CAT system complementing HTs' task. An
analytical literature review, primarily derived from translation, machine translation, and
human-computer interaction domains, with methodological and contextual variations,
was carried out. From the perspective of modeling translation task, knowledge
structures used for translation task were deduced from verbal and behavioral data
gathered during the experiment, guided by theories and· procedures of a combination of
cognitive task analysis technique and user modeling technique. Data was collected from
an experiment of 20 subjects whose task was to translate English source text to Bahasa
Melayu target text. Subjects' Background Information, verbal and behavioral data were
gathered as evidence of the experiment. As a result of data analysis, TM-HT A, CMGOMS,
and KM-TKS were respectively the models of 'what is the task world', 'how.to-
do-it' and 'how-it-works' knowledge which human translators used in translation
task. On the other hand, as a result of inductive inference on TM-HTA, CM-GOMS,
KM-TKS models and Subject's Background Information, a CAT prototype was made
possible. The CAT system designing and proto typing was devoted in a chapter. It was
clear now that the end result was not only a computer-aided translation; also, an
interactive behavior of cognition-artifact-task. However, it should be noted that
generalizations based on a small population (n = 20) would have low reliability. and
should be viewed with cautions. Future work includes a post hoc study to test if the
CAT prototype meets human translators' expectations and needs. This study concluded
by making a modest claim of contributiop. that was, using human factors framework for
modeling translation task to aid prototyping computer-aided translation, this study
found new possibility of human computer collaboration in CAT system, where HTs
could perform translation task by the means of voice writer and text domain ontology.
Description
Keywords
Translation task toward prototyping , Computer-aided translation system