Implementation of Machine Translation (MT) in University Curricula

Abstract

In spite of the fact that in the last few years the widespread implementation of MT has completely reshaped translators' workbench, university curricula are not reacting quickly enough, which widens the gap between skills and competences required in the labor market and those acquired by students during their university education. As a result, the employability of graduates and the value of the degree are being affected negatively. In this chapter, a didactic unit is presented which is based on socio-constructivist methodology and aims at developing students' self-concept as future professionals, who shall assume a central role in the translation process, by interacting with MT and taking on control in the different stages and responsibility for the final product. Contrary to the prevalent idea that the implementation of MT in early stages of translator training may interfere with the development of translation competence, this didactic unit highlights its benefits.