The Importance of Educational Translation in a Globalized World

Nowadays, the world is increasingly borderless. We can learn from anywhere, with anyone, and about anything, as long as there is an internet connection. However, even though technology is increasingly sophisticated, there is still one important thing that is a bridge between cultures and countries: educational translation.

If you think about it, imagine how much knowledge, research, and learning materials are only available in one language. What would it be like if someone from another country could not access all of that just because of language barriers? In this, educational translation—the process of translating learning materials—plays a vital role.

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Translating is not just about translating text from one language to another, but also about opening up opportunities for students in different countries to access wider educational materials. In recent years, many online education platforms have offered courses and materials in various languages, thanks to the existence of translation technology. This allows students from countries with less common languages ​​to take advantage of educational resources that were previously out of reach.

Why Is Educational Translation Important?

First, educational translation allows people from different language backgrounds to access the same knowledge. For example, there is an important research journal from Germany on climate change. If the journal is only available in German, then only those who can speak German can understand its contents. But once the journal is translated into English, Indonesian, or another language, then more people can understand and use it.

Second, educational translation is also very helpful in the global education system. Now, there are so many students from Indonesia who study abroad. Well, when they study with foreign language lecture materials, sometimes they need translations so they can understand the contents of the material better. Likewise, foreign students who study in Indonesia also need materials that have been translated into their language.

Positive Impacts in the World of Education

Educational translation brings many benefits, especially in supporting equal access to education. We know that education is everyone's right. But in reality, many cannot access quality education simply because of language barriers. With educational translation, learning materials such as mathematics, science, and history can be accessed in various languages. Even educational videos on YouTube now provide subtitles in various languages. This is all thanks to the contribution of educational translators who often work behind the scenes.

In addition, student exchange programs and cooperation between universities from various countries have also become more effective because of educational translation. Communication between lecturers, curriculum exchange, and the preparation of reports and research can run smoothly because all parties can understand the contents of the same document, even though they speak different languages.

Challenges in Educational Translation

Although very important, it does not mean that educational translation is easy. On the contrary, translating educational materials is full of challenges. It is not enough to just be able to speak two languages, but the translator must also understand the educational context, academic terms, and even the culture behind the material.

For example, terms in law or medical lessons in one country can have different meanings from those in another country. If translated raw, it can cause misunderstandings. Therefore, a translator is needed—someone who is truly an expert in the field or, at the very least, collaborates closely with subject matter experts.

In addition, educational content is not just about text. There are graphs, tables, diagrams, and other visual elements that must also be understood and translated. Especially if the material is in the form of multimedia, such as video or animation. So the role of the translator must also be supplemented with the ability to understand the visual and audio context.

The Role of Technology in Educational Translation

Well, the good news is that technology now greatly supports the educational translation process. There are already many tools, such as Google Translate, DeepL, and other software, that can help translate text quickly. But of course, the results cannot replace the human touch.

Technology does help, but it still requires editing and proofreading from humans who understand the educational context. Even now, there is AI that can help translate automatically, but the final result still needs to be corrected so that it is not misinterpreted.

On the other hand, technology also helps translate more inclusively. For example, translation into sign language, or adjustments for people with disabilities, such as audio descriptions and text with capital letters. All of this makes education more open to all groups.

Educational Translation in the Indonesian Context

If we look at Indonesia, educational translation also has an important role. Many textbooks come from abroad, but are adapted to the Indonesian curriculum through the translation process. In fact, these translated books often serve as core materials in universities, especially for departments such as engineering, medicine, and social sciences.

On the other hand, many works of the nation's children have been translated into English and other languages, so that they can be recognized internationally. This proves that educational translation is not only about us accessing knowledge from abroad, but also about us spreading knowledge to the world.

In addition, educational programs such as Merdeka Belajar and international curricula such as IB or Cambridge also need the support of educational translation so that they can be implemented optimally in Indonesia. Lesson materials, syllabi, and exam questions must be translated accurately and maintain their original meaning.

The Future of Educational Translation

In the future, educational translation will be increasingly needed. The world is increasingly global, and the borders between countries are getting thinner. Distance learning programs, online courses, and international webinars have become commonplace. All of this requires a reliable translation system so that everyone can access it.

The profession of educational translator will also be increasingly sought after. In fact, now there is a specialization in the field of translation studies that focuses on academic and educational translation. This is proof that the world is beginning to realize the importance of the role of educational translation in spreading knowledge. Just imagine if all educational materials in the world could be translated and accessed by anyone without language barriers. Maybe the problem of educational inequality could be slowly resolved. Anyone, from anywhere, can learn and develop.

So, educational translation is not just an activity of translating words from one language to another. More than that, it is an effort to open the door to knowledge for everyone, regardless of country of origin or language. In this increasingly connected world, we need more translators who can connect culture, science, and understanding through educational translation. Because in the end, education is the key to the future. And translation is the bridge so that everyone can cross it together.

If you are looking for a professional translation service, Digital Trans Asia is the right choice. With a team of experienced translators, we are ready to help translate accurately and with quality.

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