METM26 presentation

Implementing a sovereignty-friendly translation workflow

Michael Farrell, Mortara, Italy

In today’s world of shifting alliances and rising costs, finding ways to avoid vendor lock-in isn’t just smart, it’s essential. Faced with the impossibility of upgrading a perfectly functioning Windows 10 laptop to Windows 11, I decided to turn a problem into an opportunity. I set out to find solutions that maximize digital sovereignty: open-source tools, minimal vendor lock-in, GDPR-compliant European servers, privacy-focused software and a general preference for European solutions that support open initiatives over tech giants.

The experience began with a careful look at the essential tools every professional freelance translator needs. While I’m not particularly tech-shy, I was very mindful of the barriers less tech-savvy colleagues might face and was pleasantly surprised to find that most solutions are remarkably user-friendly. The most daunting challenge is grasping unfamiliar jargon: distros, package managers, federated services, end-to-end encryption, sync protocols; but I’ve done the homework, so you don’t have to.

Once you have got all that under your belt, even the most tech-squeamish translator can significantly boost their digital independence. Attendees of this presentation will walk away with practical knowledge on:

• Trying out, choosing and installing a Debian-based Linux distro, primarily Mint Cinnamon
• Selecting the best office suite and navigating compatibility with low-sovereignty, market-dominant products
• Open-source and cloud-based computer-aided translation (CAT) tools and European machine translation solutions
• GDPR-compliant, Europe-based professional networking and communication platforms
• Privacy-focused, independent file storage and sharing services

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or someone who fills with dread at the mere thought of installing new software, and whether you’re switching from a Windows or Mac environment, this session offers a hands-on roadmap to working smarter, safer, and more independently in an increasingly hostile digital world.

About the presenter

Michael Farrell is a translator; researcher at the International Center for Research on Collaborative Translation; and lecturer in post-editing, machine translation, artificial intelligence, and computer tools for translators at IULM University, Milan. He is the developer of IntelliWebSearch and a member of AITI, the European Association for Machine Translation, and MET’s Council.