Translation and Technology: Investigating the Employment of Computer-aided Translation (CAT) Tools among Iranian Freelance Translators

The present study aimed to investigate the employment of computer-aided translation (CAT) tools among Iranian freelance translators. Fulford and Granell-Zafra (2005) proposed a model encompassing both information and communications technology (ICT) and CAT tools to support a large number of activities, including document production, information search and retrieval, communications, business management, marketing and work procurement, and translation creation. CAT tools are employed to support document production, business management, and translation creation; and ICT tools are used to support the rest. A questionnaire was used for data collection from Iranian freelancers. As the results indicated, Iranian freelance translators were more interested to employ general-purpose software applications, such as word processing programs and presentation software, whereas they showed less interest in the employment of special-purpose software, such as accounting packages and database software. Moreover, most participants approved the effectiveness of CAT tools in their work.

An MCDA cause-effect factors model for the implementation of Greenstone Digital Library software

PurposeThe selection of effective library software not only plays an important role for students, academic staff and the library staff but also helps an institution by having the library management system more centralized. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) cause and effect factor model for the implementation of the Greenstone Digital Library (GSDL) software.Design/methodology/approachA thorough review of the literature is conducted to develop an initial list of the appropriate evaluation factors that play a significant role in the implementation of GSDL software. The data were collected from a domain of experts in the library sciences field. A combined approach of Delphi-DEMATEL methods is employed for the definition of these factors and to construct an MCDA cause-effect model which represents their relationships.FindingsThe DEMATEL analysis resulted in the division of all factors into two groups, causes and effects. The results show that content management, having a user-friendly interface and usability, information search and retrieval and authentication and authorization fall into the cause group. These factors directly affect the remaining factors. Content acquisition, classification, access, control and privacy management and metadata submission and support fall into the effect group. The research findings can help library professionals to make effective decisions to facilitate the successful implementation of GSDL software in a library and the enhancement of library technology.Practical implicationsThe results of this study can be useful for library professionals and decision-makers to select the most appropriate software for the implementation of library technology. The study analysis shows that for GSDL, user-friendly interface and usability, information search and retrieval plus authentication and authorization factors have seven positive relationships with other factors. Secondly, content management and classification have six relationships with other factors. Thirdly, access control plus privacy and management have two relationships. Content acquisition has only one relationship with other factors. It is recommended that the user-friendly interface and usability, information search and retrieval, as well as authentication and authorization should be the initial areas of focus if GSDL is to be implemented successfully in digital libraries.Originality/valueThe proposed MCDA cause-effect model can be useful for library professionals or decision-makers in the context of selecting software to be implemented in a library and to minimize implementation costs.

Analysis of Segmentation Methods for Brahmi Script

Segmentation is an important step for developing any optical character recognition (OCR) system, which has to be redesigned for each script having, non-uniform nature/property. It is used to decompose the image into its sub-units, which act as a basis for character recognition. Brahmi is a non-cursive ancient script, in which characters are not attached to each other and have some spacing between them. This study analyses various segmentation methods for different scripts to develop the best suitable segmentation method for Brahmi. MATLAB software was used for segmentation purpose in the experiment. The sample data belongs to Brahmi script-based ‘Rumandei inscription’. In this paper, we discuss a segmentation methodology for distinct components, namely text lines, words and characters of Rumandei inscription, written in Brahmi script. For segmenting distinct components of inscription different approach were used like horizontal projection profile, vertical projection profile and Relative minima approach. This is fundamental research on an inscription based on Brahmi script, which acts as a foundation for developing a segmentation module of an OCR solution/system of similar scripts in future. Information search and retrieval is an important activity of a library. So, to ensure this support for digitised documents written in ancient script, their character recognition is mandatory through the OCR system.

Identifying Information Behavior in Information Search and Retrieval Through Learning Activities Using an E-learning Platform Case: Interamerican School of Library and Information Science at the University of Antioquia (Medellín-Colombia)

This text presents the future of librarian education as exemplified by the Interamerican School of Library and Information Science at the University of Antioquia (Medellin-Colombia), using an online learning platform-LMS (Moodle) and through different personalized and collaborative learning activities and tools that help students identify their own information search and retrieval models as well as compare, adapt and improve their own information behaviors, taking into account Information Behavior Models (Wilson, Ellis, Kuhlthau) and Information Literacy Standards (ACRL/ALA, CAUL, ANZIL) that have been established in the academic and scientific literature. This learning methodology has been applied to several academic courses since 2007 with excellent results.