ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the theme of computers in translation practices, including the advent and proliferation of machine translation (MT). It introduces technical communicators to central concepts that underlie translation, translation practice, and the role that translation plays in the business of global communication. The chapter presents a general overview of how such factors developed over time, and examines the basic terms and concepts of technology in translation. It provides the discussions of cost, finances, and billing considerations, as well as the benefits that technology yields in communication practice. The chapter reviews such factors that can help technical communicators better understand procedures using MT and contextualize them in relation to technical communication practices. It also provides technical communicators with practical hints to gain an understanding of translation from the perspective of content creators and/or project managers. The chapter concludes with a discussion of what the future of translation technology is likely to hold.
