在臺書籍譯者使用電腦輔助翻譯工具之探討

Abstract

在過去書籍譯者並不常使用電腦輔助翻譯工具譯書，但近幾年有越來越多臺灣書籍譯者採用如 Termsoup 等工具譯書，此一新興現象值得探討。本論文探究臺灣書籍譯者使用電腦輔助翻譯工具的動機、實際運用方式與評價。研究方法為質性研究，以訪談為主、背景問卷為輔。受訪者共 13 位，主要聚焦於 8 位有使用電腦輔助翻譯工具譯書的譯者，各具不同年資與語言組合，使用的工具為 Termsoup 或 Trados Studio；另外 5 位分別為 2 位不使用電腦輔助翻譯工具的書籍譯者、1 位電腦輔助翻譯工具開發商、1 位本地化翻譯公司代表，以及 1 位前導受訪者。研究發現，受訪者多因網路與朋友推薦而認識電腦輔助翻譯工具，將其運用至譯書通常是基於某種功能，或為了提升專業、提升效率與掌控進度。PDF 轉檔與整理原文為書籍譯者使用電腦輔助翻譯工具的最大門檻，克服此障礙後，在翻譯、校稿與匯出階段，譯者能受惠於多種功能。電腦輔助翻譯工具對書籍譯者的主要幫助包含：防止漏譯、方便對照、管理譯名與譯法、查找舊譯、記錄一詞多譯、詞彙查詢、提升效率、管理進度等；主要限制則包含：需要時間學習、軟體費用、譯者已有既定作業習慣，以及書籍匯入前置流程繁複等。總體而言，多數受訪者認為使用電腦輔助翻譯工具的優點大於缺點，並期望未來能享有更多服務、市場出現 Termsoup 競爭產品、科技有更多發展。

In the past, book translators did not often use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools. However, an increasing number of book translators in Taiwan have started using CAT tools, such as Termsoup, to facilitate their work in recent years. The present thesis examines this emerging trend while analyzing the reasons for adopting, perceived effectiveness, and real-life applications of CAT tools in book translation. The present thesis is a qualitative study primarily based on interviews and is supplemented by background surveys. A total of 13 participants were interviewed. Eight of the 13 translators who use CAT tools for book translation are the focus of the present study. Said translators use either Termsoup or Trados Studio and have varying years of experience and language combinations. The other five participants consist of two book translators who do not use CAT tools, one CAT tool developer, one representative from a localization translation company, and one pilot interviewee. The findings reveal that most interviewees came in contact with CAT tools through recommendations from the internet or friends. The interviewees first applied these tools to book translations due to a need for specific functions or to enhance professionalism, efficiency, and progress tracking. The greatest barriers for book translators in adopting CAT tools come from the need to reorganize a given text after converting an original PDF file into a Word file. After overcoming this barrier, translators may benefit from various functions during the translation, proofreading, and exporting phases of a book translation project. The main advantages of CAT tools for book translators include reducing omissions, facilitating comparisons, managing translation choices and terms, searching for previous translations, recording multiple translations of a term, looking up vocabulary, enhancing efficiency, and tracking progress. The chief drawbacks of CAT tools include the time required to become proficient, costs, having to establish new work procedures, and complex tasks such as conversion and reorganization of the original file prior to the translation phase. Overall, most interviewees believe that the advantages of using CAT tools outweigh the disadvantages and express expectations for more services, competing tools against Termsoup, and further technological advancements in the future.