[JIF2019] What is CAI? Learning to Use Tools for Computer-assisted Interpretation Through Interpreting Practice

Allyson Sigman

Born in West Virginia, USA. First experience of Japanese was during a homestay in Japan while in high school. Continued to study Japanese throughout university and graduate school, studying in Japan twice. Gained a master’s degree in 2010 and was employed by a local Japanese company. After gaining interpreting and translating experience as an in-house interpreter, began work as a freelance conference interpreter from 2017. Also works as an instructor in a basic interpreting course at Ohio State University.

What is CAI? Learning to Use Tools for Computer-assisted Interpretation Through Interpreting Practice

Translation industry CAT (computer-assisted translation) tools are well known, but what on earth is “CAI”? In this session, I will introduce you to the latest interpretation assistance tools to try to make your interpreting even a little bit easier. You should try to experience some of the variety of convenient tools, from those that will help you with your preparation before you enter the booth (software for preparing lists of terms, tools for comparing an original text with a translation, text-to-speech software) to tools that will assist you during interpreting work (easily searchable glossaries, speech recognition and automatic word searches using speech to text, etc.) Naturally, unless you’re used to using these tools to a certain extent you won’t get far with them if you suddenly try to use them during interpreting work, so I’ll also explain an interpreting practice method that makes use of the tools in the home environment.