Rethinking professional translation roles: the localisation of mobile applications

Abstract

The ever-increasing popularity of the mobile application (app) localisation market makes it essential to review localisation training in the translation technology classroom. There is clearly a need for translator trainers to adopt appropriate teaching methodologies so that students will be ready for their future professional endeavours. The present study aims to investigate the students’ perception of a mobile app localisation module on an undergraduate course. Building on an action research methodology, qualitative and quantitative data drawn from discussion groups, direct observation and a final questionnaire, our study reveals that students were highly satisfied with the mobile app localisation module and felt that this training programme was useful in helping them to adapt to the growing demands of the localisation market.