Translation & AI

Recently, we have all borne witness to the burgeoning impact that AI is engendering in our world.

And rightly so, technological advancements have propelled some clients to favor automatic translators over professionals. However, this shift is not without challenges. This is where machine translation post-editing (MTPE) comes into play, a process that is gaining increasing significance in our industry.

What is MTPE?

MTPE in translation refers to the process of reviewing and enhancing the output of an automatic translation generated by a machine translation tool, such as an AI-based translation engine. Post-editing involves human intervention to correct potential errors, inconsistencies, or imperfections that may have arisen in the machine-generated translated text.

During the MTPE process, a human translator reviews and fine-tunes the text to make it more accurate, coherent, and natural. They ensure that the translation is contextually appropriate and adheres to the required linguistic and terminological standards. Post-editing serves as a means to enhance the quality of automatic translations and tailor them to the specific needs of the project or client.

Do Sctranslations provide this service?

Since 2021, we have been highly trained and certified by the RWS Group (Trados) to provide this service and offer an additional option to our clients. We believe that, as translators, we must continue to evolve and keep pace with AI, as it can be a tool that can truly work in our favor if used effectively.

Will MTPE replace translators in the near future?

Not at all. AI, like other technological tools at our disposal, helps us complement our knowledge and can be used as an additional resource. What is truly important is to use versions that help us safeguard the confidentiality of the document and the client’s project itself.

Here are several relevant reasons that explain why AI cannot completely replace human translators:

Context and culture: Translation is not just about converting words from one language to another; it’s about understanding the context, culture, and linguistic nuances of both languages. Professional translators are capable of interpreting these elements more accurately than AI, which typically relies on statistical patterns and cannot fully grasp cultural connotations.

Creativity and style: In some cases, such as literary translation or creative content creation, a human touch is required to maintain the author’s style and creativity. AI lacks the ability to genuinely create and adapt to language and style nuances.

Errors and ambiguity: Languages can be ambiguous and full of multiple meanings. Human translators excel at handling this ambiguity and can make informed decisions about the most appropriate translation in a specific context.

In summary, it’s akin to a game of chess. While AI is a valuable tool that enhances efficiency, the choice of a human translator remains essential in situations where a deep understanding of language and culture is required; along with the ability to make contextual decisions and preserve the authenticity and quality of communication.

Without further ado, I hope that all the information I provided has been of assistance in some way. Whether you are a translator or a potential client seeking to learn more about the service itself.

If you have any further questions or additional information to add, feel free to reach out or leave a comment! We’ll be delighted to hear from you.

Wishing you much success, peace, and prosperity.

Sebastian Cortés S.
Founder of Sctranslations