A comparative analysis of translation technology research in China and Russia in the digital age

Abstract

The onset of the digital age has led to the rapid development of translation technology. Nowadays, not only specialists in natural languages but also those in applied translation studies keep a close eye on machine translation research. This article examines research papers on translation technology in the humanities and social studies in Russia and China: based on the papers by Russian and Chinese specialists in translation studies, the author conducts a comparative analysis of the evolution and scientific achievements in this field, reveals their common and unique features. For instance, following current trends, Russian scientists offer a new perspective on the development of translation technology based on the concept of “digital translation” that relies on the introduction of modern technologies, in particular computer-aided translation (CAT). On the other hand, following the idea of a paradigm shift in translation studies, Chinese scientists off er a new scientific approach expressed in the concept of the “technological shift ”. Thus, the fusion of the new approach and a new perspective can contribute to further substantial improvement in translation technologies.

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