Professional translation and consequently translation training involve a wide range of general-purpose technological aids as well as specifically-designed translation tools. In response to market demands, a great deal of effort has been devoted to developing and implementing features in such tools that can contribute to higher consistency, productivity and quality. There has been less attention paid to the needs of learners and actual users, however. Previous research with professional translators at the workplace suggests that there is potential to optimize the ergonomics of certain features of computer-aided translation tools currently on the market. An exploratory study of the usability of two such tools with very different interfaces was carried out with students enrolled in a Master of Arts (MA) program in translation. Quantitative measures from process monitoring software and qualitative indicators from post-task interviews highlight how students interacted with the two tools as they translated comparable source texts. The global process measures and the subjective comments suggest that the CAT tool with the leaner interface might be easier for students to use. In-depth analyses of three pairs of comparable segments support this finding, as do the evaluations of the target text segments by a separate cohort of MA students. We consider the implications of our findings in light of recent calls for improved cognitive, physical, and organizational ergonomics at the translation workplace. In conclusion, we make recommendations for incorporating ergonomic considerations into technology modules in translator training.
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