Blockchain in translation: a revolution in the language industry?

Blockchain technology has hitherto been known mainly for its application in cryptocurrencies. However, but it is now starting to revolutionise and transform various sectors, including translation. This arises from the growing need for accurate and reliable translation services, since one of the main problems in professional translation today is checking quality and authenticity.

At a time when machine translation often goes unchecked by human eyes, blockchain allows each translated version to be immutably recorded. That makes it possible to trace who produced it, when and under what conditions. This not only ensures traceability, but also strengthens trust between clients and translators. Plus, as a decentralised and transparent system, blockchain offers significant advantages in solving some traditional language challenges and ensuring accurate communication across languages and cultures.

Within the blockchain, smart contracts make it possible to automate payments and agreements between parties. For example, once the translator delivers the job and it has been validated according to prearranged criteria, payment is released automatically, eliminating intermediaries and cutting waiting time. Blockchain can also promote the creation of shared and secure language databases. Translators and companies can contribute to and access validated glossaries, translation memories and corpora, and rest assured that authorship and rights are protected.

However, there are associated risks, such as decentralisation, which may make it hard to correct errors or remove inappropriate content once it has been registered. Public exposure of certain data may compromise confidentiality, especially in sensitive translations. In addition, technological dependency can leave translators vulnerable to system failures or cyberattacks, so it is essential to address these dangers before this technology can be widely used.

There are still hurdles to be overcome before the mass implementation of blockchain. Technical complexity, the need for standardisation and the learning curve are major barriers. Not to mention that many agencies and language professionals are still unaware of the potential of this emerging technology. We need to start familiarising ourselves with all of these concepts so as not to be left behind.

In conclusion, blockchain offers a promising evolution for the translation industry, promoting greater transparency, efficiency and collaboration. Its gradual integration could redefine the way language services are managed globally. While it is still in its infancy, it is essential to keep an eye on this new technology’s integration into the industry and become familiarised with it, as it is most likely here to stay.