Abstract:
This work analyses the problem of ambiguity in translation faced by computer assisted
translation (CAT) tools. Our work was carried out through the examination of the
production of a CAT tool in relation to human translation based on the Interpretative
theory. We also analyzed a similar work to identify gaps to be addressed in ours. The
point of departure in the study was that the production of the CAT tool is characterized
by linguistic errors which impede the correct transfer of meaning. It was found out that
these errors were as a result of inherent linguistic problems owing to lexical and
structural ambiguity. Analysis of the production of a CAT tool confirmed that the
computer is faced with problems of ambiguity in translation. The computer is unable to
translate correctly lexical and structural ambiguity, because in such cases, a word, a
phrase or sentence has more than one meaning. The analysis revealed that the inability of
the computer to translate correctly lexical and structural ambiguity was due to its lack of
contextual and real-world knowledge. The observation of the corpus enabled us to make a
glaring finding: that the problems caused by lexical and structural ambiguity to the
computer are solved by professional human translators; what is really ambiguous for the
machine is not necessarily the case for humans. The study therefore highlighted its
implications and suggested ways that could be helpful to the professional translators who
use CAT tools in their work in order for the former to make efficient use of the latter.
Keywords: Computer assisted translation; human translation; lexical ambiguity;
structural ambiguity.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of French Education, Faculty of Foreign
Languages and Communication, submitted to the School of Graduate
Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(French Translation)
in the University of Education, Winneba
DECEMBER, 2019
