Even though most of us have heard about blockchain technology in the past and may even share expert knowledge in the field, not many know about its use in the translation processes. Since the mechanism in question deals with more than cryptocurrencies in their varied form, it has found its use in the major industries where a high degree of accountability, control, and automation is required. It would be enough to say that dealing with the complex blocks that contain particular records is a primary goal of cryptography, yet its practical use in translation services remains a fairly new practice.
Why Use Blockchain Technology in Translation Processes?
The translation industry uses the blockchain concept exactly for the same reasons as it is used in the major business fields like banking or HR management. The key is to create an efficient environment where encrypted information circulates among the employees without a central management system per se. In practice, it works with the addition of specific metadata to the blockchain that contains encrypted information about translators, customers, challenges, the pricing scheme, or the schedules. As some will remember from their cryptocurrency experience, there is a public key that will be provided. Once available, it is given to a customer in question. The benefit of such an approach is a faster and more accurate turnaround of information.
Let us assume the four steps of a typical translation with the blockchain addition:
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The translator saves the first data chunk to the database. In most cases, it will include the hash that mentions the language pair, translation type, customer information, and the deadline. Unlike the non-blockchain approach, there is no need to attach the source text or any translated material to what is being distributed. As a result, fraud or misuse risks are decreased.
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The next stage is proofreading or editing the text by the specialist who checks the content for the specific terms and accuracy. To access the information, it is sufficient to use the project’s hash string with the public key that has been provided in the past. Once the file is decrypted, an editor can do the job. Such an approach provides all the necessary confidentiality and guarantees that only a person with the access rights can edit, move, or delete the file.
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Some translation agencies use the general manager’s services to check the translated project upon completion. It means that once the file is decrypted, there is a full record of every user who has accessed the file with the indication of when and what has been done. It allows the manager to make appropriate corrections and see who has done the most and who simply skipped over some duties.
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Now when the final document reaches the customer, it is high time to use the private key that has been provided. It lets one see the history of the file, all the changes that have been made with a list of people involved. In other words, you always know what you pay for! Likewise, if there is a low-quality issue or a serious omission, it is much easier to find out the responsible one.
Luckily, such an approach becomes more popular in the translation industry, which provides more choices for the customers looking to get their documents translated fast while still keeping the information safe. Look through the translation services online to find the companies that experiment with the blockchain technology in their work and pick the one that works best for your needs. Remember that the privacy of everything you share can only be guaranteed by the blockchain technology since there is no central management involved or distribution of the actual file each time the hash string is being sent. As futuristic as it may sound, it is an additional control layer that motivates the translators to think over their professional responsibilities as if controlled by the invisible artificial intelligence.
Are There Downsides to Blockchain for Translators?
There are no major downsides that are worth mentioning because unlike major software database solutions, it is possible to modify and adjust the metadata and the blockchains on the fly. The costs are also not as high as they are with the modern cloud storage systems or physical mediums that provide corporate security. Even though blockchain technology sounds revolutionary to most people, it is the only way to provide a faster turnaround between the translator and the client. Since it provides a detailed log of all the work done, it only sounds fair!