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MTI Programs: Employment Investigation: Implications from China for the Rest of the World
Abstract
From 2007 to 2018, the number of Chinese universities offering MTI professional degree has grown from 15 to 249. The employment status of MTI students and employers’ evaluation of MTI education are important indicators for evaluating MTI education results. The author conducted a survey of 205 universities offering MTI professional degree across China and collected 592 questionnaires from MTI teachers, 522 questionnaires from MTI graduates, and 107 questionnaires from the employers of MTI graduates. Through the collation and analysis of this survey data, a comprehensive analysis of the employment status of MTI graduates in China has been made, the existing problems in the employment of MTI have been identified, and suggestions for improving MTI education and employment have been recommended.
With increasing acknowledgment of enhanced quality now achievable by Machine Translation, new possibilities have emerged through collaboration between human and machine in the translation process, including providing varying qualities of translation in response to quality/efficiency requirements. This paper presents surveys of post-graduate students of translation conducted over four consecutive years to examine if their awareness and preparedness have kept pace with these possibilities. It is found that respondents across the years generally perceive their awareness as lacking, are hesitant in employing MT, and show marked reservations when reconsidering issues such as quality and the preeminent position of the human translator. A review of existing research in translator training points towards a lopsided emphasis on linguistic competence and standalone courses for introducing technology as the primary cause behind low adoption. The need of the hour is translator training that fully integrates technology in the translation process and also provides a clear framework to adjust quality/efficiency is important to ensure preparedness. A repeat survey of students from 2021 who were trained under this model shows an increase in willingness to use MT and to consider quality as dependent on intended use. The focus here is on Chinese-English translation, but the discussion may find resonance with other language pairs.
On the professionalization of translation
- T Xie
Ten years of sail, going forward: Ten years’ review and outlook of the MTI education
- W Zhong