Whenever there is a demand for translation, businesses and individuals think about how to get the translation of content quickly and within budget. Naturally, between human and AI translation, most of businesses gravitate towards AI, but it is not the best choice for your translation needs.
Yes, AI is not a preferred choice. AI automatically converts text from one language to another, often in seconds, but what about the context? Does it align with well with the translation purpose? Every time when seeking translation, it is not always about comparing speed and cost; it is beyond that.
So, you will be wondering, why AI cannot match the quality and nuance that a human translator brings. For this, it is better to equip yourself with the knowledge about of the basics AI and human translation. Also, get to know about importance of human translation and how human experts promise the right translation and not AI.
Here are the few questions that will help you to understand more about AI and human translation:
1-What Is Difference In Human and AI Translation Production Process?
Let’s understand what process is followed to deliver translation:
➤ AI Translation
In AI translation, text goes automatic translation from one language without human intervention. However, the system has been trained on the collection of human translation text using algorithms, aiming to convey the meaning and context of the original text in the target language.
Once the machine gets NLP techniques and is trained well, the cost is less to carry out different translations.
➤ Human Translation
In human translation, humans may or may not use a machine for assistance and can convert text or spoken language from one language to another. As human translators gain experience and have enough knowledge about the industry, they will charge you more.
One of the major differences between AI vs human translation is that AI operates on machine learning that doesn’t look at the words. Machine learning looks at translation in a completely different light as it breaks down sentences and maps the text.
Human translators look at words as what they are, understanding their integral part in the communication. They view each word and its relation to a given sentence and context. This helps them to get an idea and deliver relevant translation.
2- Why AI Fails To Meet Translation Grades?
Translation grades are a new way to guide the initial conversation between the requester and provider and evaluates the quality of the translation required. They are widely used in many industries and are classified as:
➤ High
➤ Medium
➤ low
Translation grading can be best understood by the following factors:
1- Risk tolerance
The process involves evaluating the potential consequences of translation errors, which influences the required grade of translation. If there is a high risk, it requires high-quality translation. If your business has low risk, you still cannot entirely depend upon AI translation when you don’t want to create a misunderstanding at all.
2- Errors
Translation grading scales also use errors to assess the quality of translation, often considering the following:
➤ Corresponding Errors: accuracy, terminology, etc.
➤ Fluency errors: natural and smooth
When somebody asks can technology replace Human translation, the answer is clear, no. By reviewing how AI translation is carried out and how it fails to promise quality, you cannot rely completely on it for any translation purpose. AI translation does not promise accuracy and consistency so even if we talk about enhancing the AI system for accurate translation, this is not possible, as per the experts.
3- How AI Fails to Deliver Perfect Translation?
For various industries, there is a need to understand how to keep the translation, source or target oriented. This varies a lot depending on the requirements and AI struggles a lot here. Here are points explains how:
1- Purpose and intended audience
In any type of translation, AI struggles with making it adaptable for the intended audience. Whether it is creative or emotional content, AI may not be able to capture the intended tone or message, and may fail to fulfill the translation purpose.
2- Source and target language
There are 4000+ languages, and you cannot train AI for all of them. Even when we talk about the major languages, the translation doesn’t serve the purpose well when it fails to meet the cultural aspect. Thus, AI cannot promise great results. Also, language is fluid, and it constantly adapts to allow users to express themselves in an ever-changing world and you cannot keep AI updates with it with changing needs.
3- Properties of content
When we talk about the domain-specific content, there are a lot of syntax and terminology that need to be presented in the best way. AI translation still struggles with ambiguities, idioms, and subtle nuances that are easily understood by humans. Thus, every time Human translation services are always preferred.
4- Context
In any translation, context is beyond co-text. It is important to understand its meaning and where it actually resides. While focusing on the language, it is important to focus on the context too. AI systems lack the broad understanding of the world that humans possess, which is crucial for translating any context. The following examples will help you understand well:
➤ Handling Terminology
AI translates words at the surface level with no consideration for context, audience, or industry. For example, the word “acute.” In the medical field, it is a condition refers to one that suddenly occurs and typically lasts for a short period. However, in a more general sense, acute means sharp. On the other hand, mathematicians and engineers also use the word to describe a certain “angle”.
➤ Dealing with Idiom/slang/saying
In some cases we have used the phrase “break a leg” that has a specific meaning in a theater context. You can imagine how AI may translate literally, resulting in a completely nonsensical output.
AI translation models are trained on massive datasets. AI does not have the expertise to accurately translate those words, but qualified and industry-specific human linguists do.
Detrimental Effects of Errors-prone AI Translation
In AI translation, no human is accountable; it’s only a machine that will make mistakes, and you cannot even ask why or how. According to research, a 17.5% failure translation rate in high-stakes industries means that about 17 in every 100 people are receiving incorrect translation. In healthcare, incorrect diagnoses, prescriptions, or treatments can lead to disastrous outcomes and even loss of life.
Some industries like healthcare, legal, and technical require translation with utmost care and leave no room for error. Thus, experts always prefer working with trained human translators to receive professional and accurate translation.
Importance Of Quality Check And Human Judgment
While businesses those may have preferred to get AI translation, never feel assured about the quality and accuracy. Human translators are always needed for quality assurance, and their experience, knowledge, and skills ensure that the final product is accurate, clear, and stylistically appropriate.
Human translators can identify and correct errors and even awkward phrasing that AI might miss. Working with professional translators will help you to get tailored translations for different purposes. Businesses won’t be able to rely completely on AI for translation, and it is clear AI won’t replace Human translators, and not even in the future.
Conclusions
In every aspect, as compared to AI, human translators are typically better at handling language, nuance, emotion, idioms, and cultural references. From working on the translation process to quality check and the final judgment, human translators ensure that the phrasing and the content resonate and serve the translation purpose well.
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