Machine Translation and Global Research: Towards Improved Machine Translation Literacy in the Scholarly Community

Machine translation literacy is a new kind of literacy for scholars and librarians in the digital age, allowing them to harness the potential of machine translation for scholarly communication. Native English speakers can expand their global reach by making their research easier for peers around the world to access and understand, while non-native English speakers can leverage machine translation technology to produce draft publications in English. Academic librarians can support researchers in all disciplines as they grapple with producing translation-friendly texts and using machine translation for scholarly communication.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2022
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

In the realm of global research, English has emerged as the dominant language for scholarly publishing across numerous disciplines. Simultaneously, the accessibility and usability of online machine translation systems have surged, presenting both opportunities and challenges for researchers. This intriguing interplay raises the question: Is this a match made in heaven, or a pathway to publication perdition? To address this, Lynne Bowker and Jairo Buitrago Ciro introduce the concept of machine translation literacy, a novel form of literacy that caters to scholars and librarians in the digital age.

For scholars, the authors delve into the intricacies of machine translation, elucidating how it operates, its potential applications in scholarly communication, and strategies for both native and non-native English speakers to write in a translation-friendly manner. Native English speakers can continue to express their ideas in English, while also expanding the global reach of their research by facilitating easier access and comprehension for their peers worldwide. Non-native English speakers, on the other hand, can leverage machine translation technology to produce draft publications in English, thereby enhancing their ability to contribute to the academic discourse.

Moreover, the authors offer valuable insights for academic librarians, providing a comprehensive framework for supporting researchers across all disciplines as they navigate the complexities of producing translation-friendly texts and utilizing machine translation for scholarly communication. As campuses become increasingly international and universities strive to excel on the global stage, the importance of such support will only amplify.

In conclusion, Machine Translation and Global Research serves as a vital resource for scientists, researchers, students, and librarians seeking to maximize the global reach and impact of their scholarly endeavors. By embracing machine translation literacy and leveraging its potential, researchers can bridge language barriers, expand their audience, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge on a global scale.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787567245