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.
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Translation task toward prototyping , Computer-aided translation system
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