关键词: 元宇宙技术; 数字社会; 翻译行业; 翻译工作环境; 翻译实践模式

Abstract:

As a very recent stage in the evolution of the internet, metaverse technology is characterized by immersive experiences, decentralization, virtualization, and open creation, and is likely to construct a digital society via the in-depth integration of the physical, human, and information worlds. The coming of the metaverse era will transform both the translation environment and the mode(s) of translation practice, and will offer unprecedented development opportunities while also posing various challenges to the translation industry. Based on an analysis of the key technologies and the basic features of the metaverse, this paper presents an overview of the possible impacts of network connection technology, data processing technology, authentication technology, virtual-real interaction technology, and content production technology on translation practice in the future digital society, as well as a possible picture of the translation landscape. It also provides a discussion of how the relevant parties in the industrial chain of translation services, such as translation service providers, translation technology developers, translator training providers, and translation service clients, could respond to the challenges that the metaverse poses to translation practice with a view to providing some suggestions for the career planning of translation learners and translation practitioners.

Keywords: metaverse technology; digital society; translation industry; translation environment; translation practice mode