Man versus Machine’: three arguments in favour of human translators
We all use Google Translate or Deepl from time to time. Translation software is free and it’s getting smarter every day thanks to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Chinese web shops use translation software to serve their customers around the globe. The Reuters press agency deploys language robots as editors. And a court clerk in Kortrijk even used Google Translate to inform a Romanian thief of his verdict:
‘In the absence of a sworn translator, we tried using Google Translate to explain the verdict to the man,’ said court clerk Marthe. ‘It may not have been official, but it was a practical solution. Romanian Mis C. was given seven months’ probation and a €400 fine for trying to steal copper cables.’ All’s well that ends well!
But on a serious note, now: does the advance of translation software spell the end for real, human translators? And are we already living in a future where all our texts are translated by machine?
What about the security of your data?
When you use online translation platforms, you are giving them permission to store, edit and use your texts on their corporate servers as material to improve the quality of their translation machines. If it involves confidential or commercial information or texts with personal data, this might not be such a good idea. A translation agency is the best guarantee that your data will be handled with full attention to security.
A matter of life or death?
Do you have translation job that doesn’t need to be published? Are your readers not necessarily expecting a perfect translation? In that case, a rough or edited machine translation can be an efficient solution.
But if errors in your translation are absolutely out of the question, it’s better not to take any risks. That text with possible legal or medical implications is best left to an experienced professional translator.
Could it have a bit more salt and pepper?
A translation machine is and remains a machine, no matter how well you train it. It often fails to recognise humour or innuendo and cannot read between the lines. When it comes to puns, it all too often goes wrong and the creative title of your book ends up just nonsensical. In a creative text, playing with language is crucial and will always remain the playground of the (living) professional translator.
In conclusion? The translation agency 2.0!
Automated online translation platforms are definitely not yet good enough to replace the human factor. On the other hand, translation software need not be a threat. A translation agency 2.0 embraces technology and refines simple machine texts in the post-editing phase. For now, translations that require more creativity and insight are best done by a real translator.
