The Use of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools for Arabic Translation:
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Alanazi, Mohammad S.
Title Proper by Another Author
User Evaluation, Issues, and Improvements
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Wright, Sue Ellen
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Kent State University
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2019
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
368
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
Ph.D.
Body granting the degree
Kent State University
Text preceding or following the note
2019
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
The development of technology since the last quarter of the 20th century has played a momentous role in shaping the translation process for most languages. The Arabic language, however, has encountered challenges and difficulties to catch up with the accelerated changes in computer-assisted translation tools. Those challenges have been examined and investigated extensively during the last decade. However, these tools evaluations made by Arabic language translators have not been adequately taken into consideration in the previous studies. The challenging morphological, syntactic, phonetic, and phonologic characteristics of Arabic language make it one of the most complicated languages for the use of developed translation technology, which can explain a potentially understandable negative assessment among Arabic language translators. This study examined Arabic language translators' evaluation of computer-assisted translation tools and investigated potential problems that can possibly complicate the use of the tools. Finally, the study discussed factors to take into consideration when developing computer-assisted tools to address Arabic language translators' needs. The study hypothesized that Arabic language translators would express concerns regarding language-specific issues during the use of the tools. Complications would occur for Arabic language translators while working with these applications, e.g. MT suggestions, segmentation, punctuation and script related issues etc. To test the study's hypothesis, a mixed methodological approach was pursued that combines the following: an online survey and an observational experiment. Arabic language translators were recruited to participate in the study. A mixed approach of quantitative and qualitative analysis of the collected data were conducted to demonstrate the responses and evaluation of the participants toward the tools. The results of the study reveal a strong inclination by Arabic language translators in this study to encourage and support the use of CAT tools despite the complications (e.g., segmentation, punctuation and spelling etc.) and suggest that Arabic language translators are more likely to make changes to TM and extensive post-editing to MT suggestions. Triangulation of the survey and experiment findings supports the conclusion that there is no relationship between the complications experienced while using translation tools and the expressed level of satisfaction.