Automatic Speech Recognition in the professional translation process

Abstract

In a language services industry currently feeling the pressure of ever-faster translation turn-around times, Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) offers a variety of advantages for professional translators, yet also presents challenges. Anecdotal evidence shared on translators’ community platforms support the former, but the latter has not received as much attention. This paper reports insights into professional translation practices with ASR, based upon a survey on the use of ASR as well as a study in a naturalistic setting. By examining which translation tasks professionals have been using ASR for, how successfully, and in which workflows, this article highlights some of the main advantages and disadvantages of ASR adoption in the professional translation world. The conclusion is that ASR has the potential to increase the productivity and creativity of the translation act, but the advantages can be overshadowed by a reduction in translation quality unless thorough revision processes are in place.