7 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Machine Translation as an Invaluable Technique in Knowledge Sharing
Tessie George
Abstract
In this age of globalisation and mass scale digitisation and computerisation of libraries,
there are two types of digital divides which hinder knowledge sharing. The first is
between the ‘computer haves’ and the ‘computer have-nots’ and the second is between
those who do and those who do not understand a particular language, mainly English,
in which the text appears.
The paper deals with Machine Translation or E-Translation as the ideal and unique tool
to bridge the second type of digital divide i.e. between persons who do not understand
the same languages. Traditional translation is touched upon and Machine Translation or
E-translation is discussed in detail and as an improvement over traditional translation.
The usefulness of E-Translation in different types of ‘translation demands’ is discussed
and future trends are reviewed.
The conclusion is drawn that Machine Translation or E-translation is a necessary tool
to enhance free flow of knowledge and to achieve optimum knowledge sharing and
thus E-excellence in digital asset management.
1. Introduction
Advances in digital communication have made the world into a global village. But a great
digital divide separates people who do not understand and speak the same language. For
example, if an anglophile tries to read the annual report of the CEA at Paris or the Japan
Atomic Energy Research institute on their Website, he may be disappointed to find that he
is not able to understand much of it as it may be in French or Japanese. Likewise scientists
from these institutes who understand only Japanese or French cannot read the IGCAR or
BARC websites, which are in English. We all face this problem, especially when surfing
the net. India is in the throes of an IT revolution and talking about broadband and
introducing computers in villages, but only 5% of the people of the country can speak and
write in English and the rest communicate in the local language. *
This language divide hinders the free flow of digital information and hampers knowledge
sharing and optimum digital asset management. The answer to bridging this digital divide
and aiding digital asset management lies in Machine Translation or E-translation.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, translation is the act of rendering the sense of a word
, sentence , book etc. in another language. In E-translation, the involvement of the human
translator will be minimal and the major part of the work will be done electronically.
* Union Communications Minister Mr. Dayanidhi Maran , The Hindu June 21 st . 2005.
Scientific Information Resource Division (SIRD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai- 400 094
E-mail:tglisd@apsara.barc.ernet.in
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