Ergonomic issues at the professional translation workplace : reducing cognitive dissonance

In most commercial and institutional settings, professional translation has become a form of complex human-computer interaction. While a reasonable level of attention has been given to the impact of technology on the translation process and product, the potential cognitive ergonomic issues that extend beyond the application of language technology tools remain underexplored. We aim to address this gap in research by focusing on the cognitive ergonomic issues facing translators in various workplace settings. This paper builds on an ongoing study of in-house translators in Switzerland by including data from freelance translators working in Ireland. We have identified indicators of cognitive dissonance that might be attributable to the ergonomics of human-computer interfaces, suggesting that tools and other aids at the professional translation workplace may need additional fine tuning before they can optimally enhance performance