This mobile application ( “Metranverse”) is created for a research project (Translation Technology Learning in Metaverse) which is funded by the Research Matching Grant Scheme (University Grants Committee, Hong Kong government).

This research project aims to examine learners’ perceptions and the effectiveness of translation technology training. In addition to the mobile apps “Tra Tech” ,“MATTE”, and MOOCs developed in the first and second stages of the research project, the third phase of the study aims to develop an enhanced gamified metaverse mobile app with leveled difficulties and AI-powered customisation of learning paths for translation technology learning and examine learners’ perceptions and its effects on attitudes and behavior as well learning experience and learning outcomes.

The mobile app (“Metranverse”) is created based on the framework of the metaverse in education. In the Metaverse, a stimulated, vivid and colorful learning scene is created by modelling and rendering technologies. With a digital identity, a learner can immerse himself/herself in the 3D virtual world and interact with non-player characters (NPCs). Via an avatar, a learner can have multi-sensory and embodied participation in the 3D learning scene. There are two 3D metaverse scenes, namely Knowledge Nexus and AI-powered Zone. The materials will be generated by AI according to learners’ needs and preferences. The app is designed based on digital gaming features. To enhance online communication, a forum is embedded for users all over the world to interact.

Learning resources cover a wide range of key issues of translation technology and the application of machine translation (MT), computer-aided translation (CAT) and AI-enabled tools. In addition to MT and CAT tools, other tools for translation (e.g. generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT), Grammarly, Quillbot, Passolo, and Wordtune) are also introduced. The learning materials are mainly presented in audiovisual format. In addition to the learning videos, the mobile app also contains exercises and an online forum for peer interaction. Learners can also use the built-in English-Chinese and Chinese-English translation machines which are powered by a neural machine translation (NMT) system.

The topics introduce a range of translation technology tools (including Phrase, Google Translate, Baidu Translate, and ChatGPT) for different genres, such as literary, cultural, scientific, business, and academic texts. They aim to equip students with basic knowledge and skills in translation technology for English–Chinese and Chinese–English translation.

Acknowledgement:
The work described in this research project has been supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Research Matching Grant Scheme HE-OT 2023/12).
This research project is supported by Phrase TMS and Phrase Strings, which has donated a Team Edition license with 83 Project Manager accounts to the School of Arts and Social Sciences of Hong Kong Metropolitan University for three years (2022 –2025).