Training: Scripting with Python and ChatGPT for translators and terminologists (german language)

The emergence of “large language models” such as ChatGPT in 2022 is a logical consequence and further development of neural machine translation, which has been part of everyday translator life since 2017. Instead of using bilingual data sets, usually TMX files, these “large language models” are trained with vast amounts of data of all kinds in order to solve a wide variety of tasks.

In addition to texts, translations and image generation, this also includes programming.Instead of letting LLMs such as ChatGPT process tasks themselves via prompts (subject of the prompting training on March 19/20, 2025), the LLM can be asked to create a script for this task. This can then be used to perform recurring and less exciting routine tasks, but also to reliably manipulate large data sets such as TMX files. In this case, the LLM does not act as a translator or terminologist, but as a developer who is always available.

To do this, it is necessary to be able to describe exactly what the task is to the machine developer via prompting and to be able to test the result, the code, in the programming language used and ask for improvements until the result is satisfactory.

As with learning any language, this requires a basic understanding of the vocabulary and syntax of programming languages. Python is used as the programming language in the training. It was developed specifically for the training of programmers and is therefore easier to learn than other programming languages. Secondly, Python is the language that is relevant in the AI environment, i.e. in the environment that becomes relevant for translators and terminologists.

The training will use examples from the field of translation and terminology, so we will mainly work with words and will not delve deeper into mathematical issues.

This workshop is aimed at absolute beginners in the field of programming. In order to keep the group organization homogeneous, we ask all those who already know other programming languages or already have initial programming experience to refrain from participating.

Content of the training

• Create comments
• Working with functions: print() and input()
• Using variables, lists and dictionaries
• Use loops to repeat activities
• Create conditions
• Open, read, write and close files
• Outlook: Python and databases, neural networks

The theoretical parts are always followed by a workshop part with interactive exercises in which the participants can put what they have learned into practice.

A laptop, camera and sound are required to participate in the training. You need access to ChatGPT. All you need to do is register without incurring any additional costs. The Thonny development environment used does not require much memory on your computer and is easy to install.

You are welcome to use your own texts for the interactive translation and terminology exercises, but these test texts must be published or uploaded to cloud providers.Otherwise, we recommend that you use the Pro versions.You will receive further information after registration.

The training is divided into 3 dates and takes place from 09:30 – 13:00 on the following dates:
Tuesday, 01.07.2025
Wednesday, 02.07.2025
Thursday, 03.07.2025