Exploring the Potential of Language Technology in Creative Writing and Translation (Netherlands)

In past decades, a slew of technological solutions and services has been introduced to automate writing and translation processes. To date, this technology has proven to be highly successful in domains with stringent conventions, rules and texts types that require little creativity. With the latest AI revolution in Natural Language Processing, attention of engineers has been rapidly shifting toward the hives of textual creativity.

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Recent developments lend credence to the claim that the use of leading-edge AI in creative writing and translation can now also help language professionals gain insight in texts, generate fresh ideas, overcome hurdles such as writer's blocks, improve the overall quality of writing by providing real-time feedback and, thus, improve their craft. However, according to some, technological solutionism is looming large in the language industry, and it remains to be seen whether proposed solutions and services will be embraced by language professionals. This is all the more true in the creative industry, where technology may hamper creative processes. In other words, we have to consider the wants and needs of the translator, and - why not? - of society at large.

With this third Translating Europe Workshop in the series "Language and Technology: A Winning Combination", we seek to:

• map out the technological solutions and services that AI has on offer for creative writers and translators, now and in the near future;
• examine the technological wants and needs of modern language professionals;
• critically interrogate the usefulness of solutions and services in the language industry;
• look for ways to overcome or circumvent obstacles that continue to hinder technological progress in the field of creative language technology.

With this four-pronged objective in mind, we hope to bring together students and scholars in Computer Sciences and Languages. Through a series of interactive sessions, attendees will be encouraged to team-up and trace out the future of creative language technologies and creative writing and translation.

Please Note: This event is free for visitors. But of course, it requires an investment to organize it. We incur costs and make commitments based on your registration. If you are unexpectedly unable to come, you may cancel your registration without charge until midday on Monday, April 17. 

The workshop is organised by the Directorate-General for Translation of the European Commission, in collaboration with Drongo platform voor meertaligheid and Utrecht University.