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OCR for page 32
Avenues to
Improvement of
Translation
We have already noted that, while we have machine-aided transla-
tion of general scientific text, we do not have useful machine trans-
lation. Further, there is no immediate or predictable prospect of
useful machine translation.
We have noted that the important contributions of machine trans-
lation have been primarily to linguistics and secondarily to computer
programming. We have noted that while translation itself is vital,
needs for translation are being met by a small though capable
activity. We find, however, that there are attractive opportunities
for improvement in translation, and we urge work aimed at such
improvement. We have noted the importance of quality in transla-
tions. We have noted that cost varies markedly with asserted
quality.
It is important, therefore, to achieve some objective evaluation
of accuracy and quality. Work toward practical useful tests, such
as that described in Appendix 10, is of the greatest importance.
Machine aids may be an important adjunct to human or machine-
aided translation. USAF Foreign Technology Division (FTD) figures
show that production costs (assembly and reproduction of the final
translations) are very high. It appears that delays in translated
journals are attributable to production rather than to translation.
Adoption of mechanized means of editing and production might
be desirable (see Appendix 17~. Here the main cost of research
and development can best be borne by other, larger fields than
translation.
Machine-aided translation may be an important avenue toward
better, quicker, and cheaper translation. What machine-aided
translation needs most is good engineering. What will help the
human being most—special glossaries, dictionary look-up of some
or all words in the text, or a rough translation such as that pro-
duced by FTD? How can the delays due to queues at many tandem
steps be avoided ? How can production costs be cut ?
32
OCR for page 33
Automatic character recognition is often mentioned as important
to machine- aided translation. FTD figures indicate that automatic
character recognition could slightly decrease the cost of the opera-
tion. Automatic character recognition work is being supported
heavily in connection with several kinds of activity (information
retrieval, post office, for example) where the financial savings
through successful character recognition would be much greater
than in machine-aided translation. Hence, character recognition
should be adopted when and if it will save money, but research and
development need not be supported in connection with machine
translation.
Finally, how much should be spent on research and development
toward improving translation? It would be unreasonable to spend
extravagantly on a relatively small business that is doing the job
satisfactorily.
The Committee cannot judge what the total annual expenditure
for research and development toward improving translation should
be. However, it should be spent hardheadedly toward important,
realistic, and relatively short-range goals.
33
Representative terms from entire chapter:
machine translation
