翻譯記憶軟體對軟體本土化業者及自由譯者雙方關係之影響－以台灣軟體本土化產業之TRADOS為例

Abstract

有鑑於翻譯記憶軟體（TM）改變了譯者的工作方式，本研究旨在檢視TRADOS作為一種工具及科技發明，是否影響了臺灣軟體本土化產業中，軟體本土化業者（採購者）及使用TRADOS之自由譯者（供應者）間的議價力量，及整體買賣雙方之關係。本研究以Porter（1985）之部份五力模型及Ramsay（1995）之資源依賴論作為研究架構。研究調查方式為訪談，共收集七位軟體本土化業者及七位TRADOS自由譯者之資料。研究發現，決定買方議價力量較高之八項條件中，只有四項適用於軟體本土化業者。就資源依賴論而言，雖然軟體本土化業者所提供之價格無法吸引TRADOS自由譯者，但業者充份了解市場及供應商表現，可藉以獲得議價能力。而TRADOS自由譯者方面，決定供應方議價力量較高之六項條件中，三項適用於TRADOS自由譯者。根據資源依賴論，譯者之翻譯總成本偏低及翻譯速度快，則讓譯者擁有一些議價力量。整體而言，軟體本土化業者及TRADOS自由譯者之議價力量皆為中等，而譯者之產品對業者有吸引力，但業者之價格不一定吸引譯者。

In view of the changes brought by translation memory (TM) in the way translators work, the researcher aims to examine whether TRADOS, as a tool and technological innovation, affects the bargaining power of the software localization vendors and freelance TRADOS translators as buyers and suppliers in Taiwan's software localization industry, as well as the buyer-supplier relationship as a whole. The research is based upon the extracts of Porter's (1985) Five Forces Model and Ramsay's (1995) resource exchange theory. Seven software localization vendors and seven freelance TRADOS translators are interviewed in total. The research findings show that four out of eight criteria for a powerful buyer group are verified for the software localization vendors. Looking from the aspect of resource exchange theory, although the attractiveness of money offered by the vendors is not high, vendors possess full information of the market and suppliers' performance, which gives them the power to bargain. Regarding the freelance TRADOS translators, three out of six conditions determining a powerful supplier group are verified. Translators' low total cost of translating and fast delivery of translation give them some bargaining power, according to resource exchange theory. In general, both groups possess medium bargaining power. However, while the product of translators appeals to the vendors, the money offered by the vendors is not necessarily attractive to the translators.