ABSTRACT
Communicating effectively and in a timely manner is a critical pillar of all human experience. Technical translation and localization place high priority on crystalizing the information to be communicated by focusing on its specific purpose and by adapting and streamlining procedures so that target users will easily understand and be able to use the intended content. The means and modes by which written, translated, or localized communication occurs are inherently linked to the materiality of technologies. As the digital world evolves, and as networked communication becomes ever more global, translation and localization are carving out salient niches in multiple languages worldwide. The goal of this chapter is two-fold. It aims first to trace the translation discourse of two key forms: technical translation and localization, both of which have evolved dynamically in relation to technology. It then reflects briefly on their ineluctable positioning within a broader, contemporary digital context or ecosystem.
