Translation Technology and CAT Tools: Addressing Gaps between Pedagogy and the Translation Industry in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this empirical study was to determine the degree to which the translator training and instruction offered at universities in Saudi Arabia prepared translators to make use of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools that were available in the local market. It also sought to identify ways to increase the use of these tools in Saudi Arabian university programmes and by extension the Saudi Arabian translation market. The study likewise examined how electronic aids could help meet international standards. To this end, a mixed-methods model was employed. Data were collected through a questionnaire, training session, follow-up questionnaire, and observation cards involving Saudi Arabian BA, MA, and PhD students. The researcher also interviewed the students’ instructors and freelance Saudi Arabian translators. The results showed a lack of applied translation courses and training in both the public and private sectors. The majority of the translation instructors did not have a background in using translation software at the university level. Instead, they were mostly academics who had been trained in other fields and intended to subsequently train with CAT tools to be able to meet market needs. Most students perceived there to be a dearth of translation labs and software at Saudi Arabian universities. The findings thus revealed a gap between university programmes and market needs. Based on these findings and the limitations of the study limitations, the study provides recommendations for future research as well as implications for teaching practices in the Saudi Arabian public sector and translation practices in the private sector.