A Survey on the Perception and Adoption of Localization Tools by Iranian English Language Translators

Abstract

In recent years, there have been increasing requests in the field of translation studies to develop software facilitating the analysis of corpora. One of the specialized tools in that regard are Localization Tools. Briefly explaining, Localization Tools are applications developed to facilitate the process of altering software products and web services for marketing to people who speak different languages. While it has a long history and an established ground in translation market in most parts of the globe, the Iranian translators and translation market still seem to be unaware or unfamiliar with Localization Tools. In order to provide a preview on the perception and adoption of Localization Tools by Iranian translators, the present survey was carried out among 224 last-year undergraduate Iranian students of English translation at 10 different universities across the country. The study revealed a very low level of adoption and a very high level of willingness to get familiar with and learn about Localization Tools by Iranian translators.