Translations| Massively Open Translation: Unpacking the Relationship Between Technology and Translation in the 21st Century

Critical theory of technology is used to unpack the way in which technology is effecting a transformation of translation toward higher translator autonomy, uncovering the nature of the relationship between technology and translation.

Abstract

Globalization and translation go hand in hand because translation functions as a mechanism to enable global communication in an increasingly interconnected world. Within the technological trend set by Web 2.0 and its user-centeredness, translation practices began to incorporate an alternative scenario based on translation by self-selected volunteers. Under the framework of critical theory of technology, this article scrutinizes the development of translation as a mass, open, and collaborative task that I call massively open translation. Critical theory of technology is used to unpack the way in which technology is effecting a transformation of translation toward higher translator autonomy, uncovering the nature of the relationship between technology and translation.