Translators as Networkers: The Role of Virtual Communities

Authors

  • Hanna Risku
  • Angela Dickinson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/hjlcb.v22i42.96846

Abstract

Recent years have seen a rise in the importance of virtual and real-life knowledge sharing communities and communities of practice across many fi elds of private and commercial interest, including professional translation. This article examines the characteristics of knowledge sharing communities in general, identifies their key elements, looks at the motivation for membership and presents an empirical study of life in a thriving virtual translation community. In doing so, it draws on the results of a literature review combined with a participant observation based study and member survey of a major virtual translation community. The results indicate that virtual translation communities can be lively platforms and offer translators a forum not only for sharing expert knowledge and collaborating, but also for keeping in touch with like-minded individuals.

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Published

2009-08-30

How to Cite

Risku, H., & Dickinson, A. (2009). Translators as Networkers: The Role of Virtual Communities. HERMES - Journal of Language and Communication in Business, 22(42), 49–70. https://doi.org/10.7146/hjlcb.v22i42.96846

Issue

No. 42 (2009)

Section

THEMATIC SECTION: Translation Studies: Focus on the Translator

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