Abstract

This chapter introduces the broad area of translation as it is implemented, supported, promoted, facilitated, discussed and made available over the web. It starts by locating its topic within web studies and providing a brief overview of linguistic issues relating to the web, with particular reference to translation. Topics such as the characteristics of web-based discourse and how different languages are represented on the web are covered, along with a range of different translation practices, such as crowdsourced translation, translation in Wikipedia, web localisation and fansubbing. The chapter also discusses the on-line medium itself and the kinds of material that are typically being translated. It reports on how the web is used as a site for translation activities, focusing on machine translation and post-editing, web-based software and on-line translation resources such as translation memories and terminology resources. In addition, the chapter examines the social context in which translation takes place on the web, as represented by blogs, translation portals and translators’ websites.