- Machines can handle initial translations and repetitive work, while human translators can focus on refining these outputs, ensuring accuracy and emotional depth.
- The interplay between machine translation and human translation is often seen as a battleground, but it can be more constructively viewed as a partnership.
During my university years, machine translation was rapidly evolving. Initially, it was riddled with flaws and even basic grammatical errors. Back then, I confidently promised others that I would secure an excellent translation job after graduation. However, now, I no longer have that confidence.
When I browse job websites, I even see positions for ChatGPT translation roles, which offer very low salaries because the job mainly involves inputting the original text into ChatGPT and then organising the translated text.
In just a few years, the development of AI has surpassed human imagination. Will human translation gradually disappear into the annals of history as technology advances? Perhaps the answer to this question is hidden within this article.
The differences between machinetranslation and human translation
The most logical place to start is to define the differences between machine translation and human translation and how each of them works.
How human translation works?
Human translation involves several crucial steps to ensure an accurate and culturally appropriate result. Initially, the translator carefully reads and understands the source text, taking note of its meaning, context, and any cultural nuances. This is followed by research to clarify terminology and context-specific references.
Next, the translator translates the text into the target language, aiming to preserve the original meaning while adapting to the grammatical and syntactical rules of the target language. Cultural adaptation is then applied to ensure that the translation resonates with the target audience, making necessary adjustments to idiomatic expressions and cultural references.
After the initial translation, the text undergoes a review process where it is edited and proofread for accuracy and fluency. Any inconsistencies or errors are corrected. Finally, a thorough quality check ensures that the translation meets high standards before it is delivered. This process combines linguistic expertise with cultural sensitivity to produce a translation that is both precise and contextually appropriate.
Advantages of human translation
Accuracy: Undoubtedly, the greatest advantage of using human translation is that, when you select the right translation agency, the translation output should be entirely accurate. Professional language services typically guarantee 100% accuracy, as they employ native speakers to perform the translation.
Creativity: Most professional translators would agree that a certain level of creativity is essential in any translation job. Human translation offers the ability to apply creativity to ensure that idioms and cultural references are accurately reflected in the translated text. This is especially valuable when dealing with phrases that don’t have a direct translation in the target language.
Disadvantages of human translation
Budget intensive: One of the major concerns for marketing teams aiming to expand internationally is the high cost of professional translation, which can lead many companies to either abandon the project or delay it. Human translation can be expensive, with rates typically ranging from $0.08 to $0.25 per word, depending on the language pair, the type of content, and the level of expertise required.
For many businesses, website translation is a primary consideration, but the costs can be significant due to the large volume of content on most brand websites.
Time-consuming: The time required for human translators to handle large volumes of text can also be a significant issue. The availability of a translator for immediate work can be challenging, which might delay your translation project and hinder quick market entry.
Additionally, managing the translation process internally and ensuring it is repeated for each new page or marketing material adds to the time and effort required.
How machine translation works?
Machine translation operates by using advanced computational techniques to translate text from one language to another automatically. The process begins when the source text is input into the system, where it is first tokenised or broken down into smaller units such as words or phrases. The system then analyses the text using linguistic models, which helps it understand the text’s structure, grammar, and meaning. Depending on the machine translation method, this analysis can vary. In rule-based translation, the system uses pre-programmed grammatical rules and dictionaries to translate.
Statistical machine translation, on the other hand, relies on vast bilingual corpora to identify patterns and probabilities that guide the translation. More modern methods like neural machine translation (NMT) use deep learning, where artificial neural networks analyse and learn from vast amounts of data to generate more contextually appropriate translations.
Once the system has processed the input, it generates the translated text, often using a sequence-to-sequence model to ensure coherence and context. The final step involves post-processing, where the system may correct grammar, adjust formatting, or enhance readability. Although machine translation offers fast and cost-effective solutions, it can sometimes struggle with idiomatic expressions, context-dependent language, or highly technical texts.
Advantages of machine translation
Speed: Machine translation systems can translate large volumes of text in seconds or minutes, making them far faster than human translators. For example, a machine can process thousands of words per minute, allowing for the immediate translation of entire documents, websites, or other digital content. This speed is particularly valuable for time-sensitive projects, such as breaking news, urgent business communications, or real-time customer service.
Cost-effective: Hiring human translators can be expensive, especially for large-scale or ongoing projects. Machine translation offers a more economical solution, as it can handle massive amounts of text without the need for per-word or per-hour charges. This is especially beneficial for businesses that need to translate routine documents, product descriptions, or other content where precision is less critical.
Real-Time translation: Some machine translation systems, particularly those integrated into chat or communication tools, offer real-time translation capabilities. This allows people who speak different languages to communicate instantly, without delays. Applications such as Google Translate or multilingual customer support platforms can provide real-time language translation during live conversations, greatly enhancing cross-lingual communication.
Disadvantages of machine translation
Lack of contextual understanding: Machine translation systems often struggle with context, leading to inaccurate translations. They may translate words or phrases literally without considering the broader meaning, which can result in awkward or incorrect interpretations. For example, idiomatic expressions, jokes, or cultural references can be mistranslated since the machine lacks the deeper understanding of the language.
Limited nuance and tone: Machines cannot fully capture the subtleties of language, such as tone, humour, irony, or emotion. Human translators, on the other hand, can adapt translations to maintain the appropriate tone, whether formal, casual, or emotional, which is often crucial in marketing, literature, or communication. Machine translation may fail to convey the right sentiment, resulting in a flat or inappropriate translation.
Inaccuracies with complex sentences: Machine translation systems can struggle with complicated sentence structures, especially when the source text involves long, multi-clause sentences. They may split or reorder the sentence in ways that make the translation confusing or difficult to understand. Additionally, languages with different grammatical structures can pose challenges, leading to errors in subject-verb agreement, word order, or tense.
Cultural insensitivity: Machine translation tools often fail to account for cultural differences and sensitivities, potentially leading to translations that are inappropriate or even offensive. Human translators are able to adapt language for cultural context, adjusting phrases or terms that may have different connotations in various regions. Without this cultural awareness, machine translations may unintentionally cause misunderstandings.
