4 Reasons Why AI Won’t Replace Human Translators
As a former Translation student, I have heard from everyone thousands of times that I would be replaced by machine translation. However, that has not been the case, and the questions stopped when I started working as a translator.
However, with the boom of AI, the question has arisen again. And I am convinced that that is also a false illusion, and in this article I am going to introduce you to the main 4 reasons why.
The Complexity Of Translation
Translation is not changing words in one language to the other: if it were that simple, we would have been replaced a long time ago by machine translation.
Translation is like a team: several players play to be the perfect combination. Some of them are context, idioms, and cultural references.
Context can totally transform a text. For instance, a text aimed at children would not be translated the same way as one that had adults in mind. Client style also plays a crucial role, since reference material must be used to archive the desired result.
Idioms and cultural references are entirely different in between languages, too, and can not be translated automatically. For example, the translation of the idiom “Piece Of Cake” would not be literal, nor a reference to a pop culture character understood throughout the world.
Additionally, language is constantly evolving and changing, with new words, phrases, and cultural references emerging all the time.
While AI can analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns, it may struggle to accurately capture the nuances of language use in different contexts.
Another challenge for AI in translation is the ability to understand the intent behind the text. Language can be used to convey different meanings and emotions, depending on the tone, style, and context in which it is used. AI may struggle to accurately interpret the intent behind a text and to convey the appropriate tone and emotion in the translation.
The Importance of Cultural Context
Different cultures have unique values, beliefs, and practices, and these can have a significant impact on language use.
Additionally, some words or phrases may have different connotations or meanings in different cultures, and an accurate translation requires an understanding of these nuances.
AI struggles to accurately convey cultural context and nuances for a few reasons. Firstly, AI relies on statistical models and algorithms that analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and make predictions.
However, this approach may not always capture the cultural subtleties that human translators are trained to recognize. Secondly, cultural context can be difficult to quantify or standardize, making it challenging to develop AI models that can accurately account for it.
While AI can improve over time with more data and refining its algorithms, it is still unlikely to fully replace human translators’ ability to understand and convey cultural context.
Subjectivity and Interpretation
As languages and linguistics are not a mathematical formula, there is some room for interpretation.
Different translators may choose to translate the same text differently, depending on their understanding of the text and the target audience.
This can be particularly true for literary or creative texts, where translators may need to make choices about how to convey the author’s style or voice.
AI struggles with subjective interpretations because it relies on pre-programmed rules and algorithms to analyze and translate text. These rules can be limited in their ability to capture the nuances of language and can’t always capture the intent or tone behind a text.
For instance, humor or sarcasm can be difficult for AI to detect and accurately convey. Additionally, the context of a text can also impact its meaning, and this context can be difficult for AI to identify without human input.
The Role of Human Connection
Human translators can build a connection with their clients that AI is unable to replicate. Building a connection involves more than just conveying words accurately.
It requires understanding the client’s needs, preferences, and communication style. This understanding helps the translator to produce a translation that meets the client’s expectations and is tailored to their specific needs.
Human translators can also provide explanations and advice to their clients, helping them to understand the nuances of the source language and culture.
While AI can analyze data and identify patterns, it can’t replicate the empathy, intuition, and emotional intelligence that human translators possess.
Additionally, AI lacks the ability to understand the context and goals of the translation project in the same way that a human translator can.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while AI has made significant advances in the field of language translation, it is unlikely to completely replace human translators in the near future. The complexity of language, the challenges of accurately capturing its nuances, and the importance of human connection all suggest that human translators will continue to play a vital role in the translation industry.
Furthermore, the importance of building a connection with clients and understanding their unique needs and preferences suggests that us, human translators, will remain an important part of the translation process.
