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Kieran Scarffe (X) United Kingdom Local time: 10:48 German to English + ...
The conclusion based on the data presented is questionable
Apr 4, 2017
Thank you for posting such an interesting article.
The fact that "linguists were able to mention multiple tools" leaves some interesting questions unanswered, e.g. the proportion of a given translator's time spent using the respective software packages, and the change in these percentages over time. Translators are often effectively pressured into purchasing specific software so as to obtain regular work from particular sources or so as to cover their backs in relation to future opp... See more
Thank you for posting such an interesting article.
The fact that "linguists were able to mention multiple tools" leaves some interesting questions unanswered, e.g. the proportion of a given translator's time spent using the respective software packages, and the change in these percentages over time. Translators are often effectively pressured into purchasing specific software so as to obtain regular work from particular sources or so as to cover their backs in relation to future opportunities, so to speak - but it would be interesting to know what software is gaining ground as time goes on. Perhaps this will gradually become evident, to some degree, as subsequent surveys are published in years to come. It would also have been interesting if data had been collected with regards to the personal preferences of so many users.
In essence, I am not sure the data is sufficient to conclude that the market (in terms of all those who buy the software) is essentially very conservative (quite apart from the issue of sample size). It may arguably simply demonstrate that many linguists have felt they have had little choice but to adopt software that is already prevalent, while at the same time they may conceivably be finding themselves increasingly using one or more of the alternatives (and indeed may prefer them). Many of the translators may even already be using one or more of the less prevalent packages to a greater degree than a market leader, but nonetheless find themselves reluctant or unable to let go of something that still enables them to accept orders from certain clients who have embedded the more prevalent software into their systems.
If anything, my sense on the ground is that the newer entrants to the market are very much hot on the heels of the older brand(s), and may well in time overtake it/them. ▲ Collapse
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Ricki Farn Germany Local time: 11:48 English to German
Apr 5, 2017
[Edited at 2017-04-05 06:21 GMT]
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