Multilingual Information Management

Multilingual information is in high demand in today’s globalised economy. Industry and market globalisation, intensified collaboration between European countries, technological developments, the advent and consolidation of the Internet, the rise of electronic business, and the increased use of electronic documents are some of the factors that have fuelled this need. Multilingual Information Management draws on previous empirical research to explore how information and technologies are used within the community of translators as information facilitators among different languages and cultures, to help them become more productive and competitive in today’s market. The book consists of three parts, including a literature review on information and technology needs among translators; a research framework to investigate the perceptions and use of information and technology within their working environment; and a strategic proposal for an Information Systems approach to multilingual information professionals and information literacy training.

• Presents an interdisciplinary approach to multilingual information and technology management among information professionals
• Analyses the community of practice of translators as multilingual information facilitators and ICT users
• Contributes to further develop Information Literacy to a strategic level among information professionals
• Provides a methodological contribution through an evidence-based approach to practice
• Bridges the gap between the information-related disciplines of Information Science, Business Management, and Translation Studies

Translators, interpreters, language professionals, and other information professionals; postgraduate students studying Information Literacy, Business Management, Information Management, and Translation, Language and Communication, and students taking other courses such as Internet, Media and Communication Studies

1: Introduction

Part One: Multilingual information and ICT needs

2: Information and translators

• Abstract
• 2.1. Information, communication and information systems
• 2.2. Multilingual information professionals

3: Technology and translation

• Abstract
• 3.1. Tools to support translators
• 3.2. Translation tools: origins and evolution
• 3.3. The translator’s workstation
• 3.4. CAT tools and freelance translators

4: Information Literacy and Multilingual Information Management

• Abstract
• 4.1. Information Literacy and Multilingual Information Professionals
• 4.2. Information Literacy defined
• 4.3. Information Literacy models and perspectives
• 4.4. Information Literacy in the workplace
• 4.5. Training information literate MIPs

5: A strategic approach to adopt ICT: from using information and communication technology to making use of information and technology to communicate

• Abstract
• 5.1. The Information Systems approach to ICT
• 5.2. Information Systems strategy
• 5.3. IS and ICT adoption in small businesses

Part Two: Multilingual information and perspectives on ICT

6: A research framework for Multilingual Information Management

• Abstract
• 6.1. Informant domains
• 6.2. Development of the conceptual framework
• 6.3. A research model of Multilingual Information Management

7: Research methods for studying multilingual information management: an empirical investigation

• Abstract
• 7.1. Research approaches
• 7.2. Selecting a suitable approach
• 7.3. How to explore ICT adoption and use
• 7.4. How to analyse organisational impacts and evaluate ICT sophistication
• 7.5. The data analysis scheme

8: Needs and perspectives of multilingual information professionals: findings of an empirical study

• Abstract
• 8.1. Characteristics of MIPs
• 8.2. ICT adoption
• 8.3. CAT tool adoption
• 8.4. The characteristics of freelance translators adopting CAT tools
• 8.5. The characteristics of the freelance translation businesses adopting CAT tools
• 8.6. Perceptions of ICT and perceptions of CAT Tools
• 8.7. Impacts of CAT tool adoption
• 8.8. Summary of needs and perspectives

Part Three: Multilingual Information Management: matching needs and perspectives

9: From PLEs to PLWEs: a Multilingual Information Management System

• Abstract
• 9.1. Personal Learning Environments (PLEs)
• 9.2. Personal Learning and Working Environments (PLWEs)
• 9.3. A Multilingual Information Management System
• 9.4. Structure of an MIMS

References

Appendix 1: Translators in the 21st century: a study of skills, software and strategies

Appendix 2: Online survey for CAT tools adopters

Appendix 3: Online survey for CAT tools non-adopters

Appendix 4: Addressing non-response bias: Mann-Whitney test between early and late respondents

Appendix 5: Qualitative analysis form

Appendix 6: Summary of qualitative data analysis