ERGONOMICS AND THE TRANSLATION PROCESS (chapter 4)

1. Relevance of ergonomics to translation

■ Why is ergonomics relevant to translation?
■ Ergonomics is relevant to translation because translators face various
physical, temporal, economic, organisational, and cultural constraints while
striving to produce high-quality texts that meet client and reader needs.
Additionally, translators engage in demanding cognitive tasks, processing
information from source and parallel texts while managing client and employer
expectations regarding efficiency and quality. With the growing reliance on
language technology in the modern translation workplace, understanding the
impact of these factors on translator efficiency and the translation process
becomes increasingly crucial.
■ Definition of ergonomics (the International Ergonomics Association (IEA):
■ Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system,
and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in
order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance (IEA).
■ This term aims to describe how non-human elements in a system should be
adapted to fit the needs of humans in order to enhance the latter’s comfort and
performance. In other words, systems should serve their users and not the
converse. It can be argued that ergonomics is essentially the human side of
usability (ISO 9241; Norros and Savioja 2007), with its focus on the user rather
than on machines or tools.
■ The IEA explains that there are three main domains of specialisation within
ergonomics: physical, cognitive, and organisational.
Note: Ergonomics harmonises tasks, jobs, products, systems, organisations and
environments with people in terms of human needs, abilities and limitations.
■ 1. The physical domain
■ The physical domain, defined rather technically by the IEA as “human
anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanics characteristics as
they relate to physical activity” is the one that is probably most often associated
with ergonomics. It relates to workplace equipment, layout, repetitive
movements, safety, and health.
■ Since professional translators spend much of their day thinking and working at
a computer, physical ergonomics is very important for them.
■ Physical factors, such as the design of desks, office chairs, computer
keyboards, and other input devices like trackpads and mice can all influence the
performance of the people working at computers. They can also represent risk
factors for health problems.
■ 2. The Cognitive domain
■ The second major domain defined by IEA is cognitive ergonomics, which is
“concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and
motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements
of a system.”
■ It is usually associated with features of human-computer interaction such as
the design, organisation, and operation of user interfaces, but also includes
mental load, decision-making, and stress related to work.
■ Human-computer interactions, information sources, and language technology
are also all factors related to the cognitive ergonomics of a translator’s
workplace
■ 3. Organisational ergonomics
■ The third main domain referred to by the IEA is organisational ergonomics,
which “is concerned with the optimisation of social technical systems, including
their organisational structures, policies and processes.”
■ Organisational ergonomics include teamwork, collaboration, communication,
and teleworking as well as feedback and quality management.
■ Increased use of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools has resulted in
impressive productivity gains, but it has also substantially changed the activity of
translation itself (e.g. O’Brien 2012; Pym 2011; Pym 2013). One consequence of
this is the increased influence of technological and organisational factors that
can constrain translators’ agency and affect their decision making.
2. Translators in the centre of the translation process
■ Role of Ergonomics in Translation process
• Ergonomic perspective aligns with Chester-man's proposal to expand
translation studies.
• Chester man suggests including a branch focused on studying translators,
emphasising the human aspect.
• Ergonomics places humans at the centre, allowing exploration of differences
between human and machine translation.
■ CAT Tools and Translator Efficiency
• CAT tools lighten the mental load for translators (Muñoz 2012).
• They optimise performance and relieve translators of tedious tasks like
repetitive translations or terminology consistency.
• However, certain features in new language technology can be counter-intuitive,
adding unnecessary cognitive load.
■ Translation as a Contextual Activity
• Translation can thus best be viewed as an activity situated in a particular time,
place, society, and discourse, all of which can influence the decisions that
translators make as they choose the best way to express the meaning and
message of a source text to meet the informational needs of their target
audience and the requirements of their clients.
• Impact of Technology on Translation Profession
• Pym (2011) emphasises the transformative role of technology in translation,
extending and externalising human memory.
• CAT tools and editing software play a crucial role in freeing up cognitive
resources for translators.
• They decrease the load on working and long-term memory, facilitating effective
decision-making and higher-order problem solving.
• The European Language Industry Report (ELIA 2018) underscores the centrality
of technology, with 87% of individual professionals and 76% of companies
utilising CAT tools.
• Despite their undisputed importance, scholar's express concerns about the
industry's insufficient focus on technological and organisational aspects, which
may impact translator commitment, agency, and responsibility.
3. Recent research into the ergonomics of translation
■ 3.1. The physical ergonomics of translation:
Since translation is generally a seated activity done indoors, physical factors
such as the design of desks, chairs, office layout as well as ambient noise,
lighting, and temperature can influence translators’ performance, just as they do
for other office workers.
■ Settings at Dedicated Workplaces:
– Recent studies reveal that even at dedicated workplaces with ergonomic
furniture, settings are often not adjusted correctly for individual translators.
■ Comparison with Freelancers and Commercial Translators:
– Consistent findings from an exploratory survey (Ehrensberger-Dow and O’Brien
2015) and a larger international survey.
– Proportionately fewer freelancers have a dedicated workplace, large desks, or
ergonomic keyboarding positions.
– More freelancers use laptops with small screens, increasing the risk of
eyestrain.
■ Remedial Measures and Information Availability:
– Issues with ergonomic posture and workplace setup could be easily remedied.
– Information on ergonomic posture and setup is freely available on the internet
from reliable sources.
■ Compensation by Freelancers Working from Home:
– Freelancers working from home may compensate for non-ergonomic features.
– They have more control over room temperature, fresh air, airflow, and lighting
compared to institutional and commercial translators working in shared offices.
■ Impact on Concentration:
– The overlap of physical and cognitive ergonomics is evident in how these
factors can affect concentration.
– Environmental factors, even when compensated for, play a crucial role in the
ergonomic well-being of translators.
■ 3.2 Cognitive Ergonomics in Translation:
■ Interactions with Tools:
– Translators adapt tools to suit their needs.
– Concerns arise when cognitive processes are adjusted to fit machines.
■ Beyond CAT Tools:
– Cognitive ergonomics encompasses more than CAT tool interfaces.
– Working conditions, time management, and stress impact the translation
process.
■ Typing Mistakes and Cognitive Load:
– Some typing mistakes may indicate stress and cognitive effort.
– Correcting mistakes introduces cognitive load, affecting writing flow and
quality control.
■ Complex Network and Distractions:
– Working conditions relate to both physical and cognitive ergonomics.
– Translators operate within a complex network, impacting concentration.
– Disturbances from colleagues, ambient noise, emails, chats, and phone calls
affect cognitive ergonomics.
■ Survey Insights:
– Commercial and institutional translators are more disturbed by colleagues and
ambient noise.
– Freelancers, working alone, report fewer disturbances.
– Distractions like emails and calls affect all groups, emphasising the need to
optimise organisational ergonomics.
■ 3.3 Organisational Ergonomics in Translation:
■ Survey Insights:
– Freelancers, from the international survey, appear more isolated.
– Commercial and institutional translators have better access to additional
resources and style guides.
■ Freelancer Autonomy:
– Freelancers trade isolation for autonomy:
■ Choose where, when, and how often they work.
■ Decide on job priorities and order.
■ Determine break times.
■ Commercial and Institutional Translator Dynamics:
– Less self-determination over workload and workflow.
– More opportunities for:
■ Discussing translation problems.
■ Receiving feedback.
■ Receiving support for infrastructure and workflow.
■ Pressures on Commercial and Institutional Translators:
– Feel under pressure from colleagues or organizational expectations.
– Take significantly fewer breaks than freelancers.
– Long periods of similar activities can strain concentration, impacting quality.
4. Implications of an ergonomics perspective for translation:
■ Ergonomics' Impact on Translation:
■ Interdependence of Factors:
– Translators navigate a network of influences, from tool intricacies to broader
societal views on machine vs. human translation.
■ Challenges of Poor Ergonomics:
– Suboptimal physical and cognitive ergonomics, coupled with organisational
issues like time constraints and client-imposed tools, can hinder the translation
process.
■ Focus on Ergonomic Conditions:
– Stressing the need for good ergonomic conditions, enabling translators to
evaluate risks, make decisions, and understand socio-technical nuances for
effective professional practice