Human translation vs Machine translation: How do they compare?

In the constant search for new customers in global markets, where buyers expect to see products sold in the language they understand. Small wonder then that translation is a $56 billion industry and growing at pace.

Machine translation works by evolving from traditional methods to neural machine translation (NMT), leveraging artificial intelligence to improve translation quality.

NMT uses algorithms and machine learning to enhance the accuracy of language pairs, though challenges remain in translating nuanced texts effectively.

Introduction

For brands venturing into uncharted territories, the power of translation cannot be overstated. However, with the benefits of translation come the challenges of costs, turnaround times, and intricate workflows that can either enhance or hinder the efficiency of the translation process. Machine translation tools offer a budget-friendly solution, often being free to use.

Can we truly rely on machine translation for accuracy when addressing diverse target audiences?

The answer is not a simple dismissal. Machine translation services provide cost-saving benefits, making them an attractive option for many projects. As forward-thinking brands seek a delicate equilibrium between precision and speed, exploring the realm of pros and cons becomes paramount.

The choice between machine and human translation depends on the specific goals and needs of a project, with professional human translators preferred for tasks requiring greater accuracy, contextual understanding, and the ability to grasp cultural connotations, tone, and context.

In this blog post, we delve into the juxtaposition of machine translation versus human translation and discover that the human touch is now more important than ever before.

What is human translation?

Human translation is when a human translator interprets and conveys the meaning of text from one language to another. This requires a deep understanding of the source language and the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target language.

A professional translator delivers nuanced and sophisticated translations that machine translation services cannot achieve, relying on their expertise to accurately translate complex source material.

Human translators use their language skills and cultural knowledge to get the translation right and convey the original meaning and context.

Human translation can be time consuming and a resource heavy process that requires a high level of skill and attention to detail.

While machine translation technology has improved, human translation is still the benchmark for many industries such as law, medicine and finance where accuracy matter. Human translators can provide a level of cultural understanding and context that machine translation tools can’t.

Human translation is a human translator interpreting and translating

Human translation is a detailed process where a human translator interprets and translates text from one language to another. This requires a deep understanding of both the source language and the target language and the cultural nuances that affect meaning.

• Unlike machine translation which uses algorithms, human translators use their knowledge to ensure the translated text says what you mean.

This human element is key to capturing the subtleties and context that get lost in machine translation.

Human translators use their knowledge and cultural awareness to get it right

Human translators bring a wealth of knowledge and cultural awareness to the translation process. They can understand the context, tone and style of the original text and ensure these are carried over into the translation. They can read between the lines and handle idioms, metaphors and cultural references with ease.

Their creativity and judgment come into play when translating complex or ambiguous text, making decisions that preserve the original message and keep it clear. This level of precision and cultural sensitivity is something machine translation, no matter how advanced, still can’t achieve.

Human translation is more costly

Human translation is more resource heavy than machine translation. A human translator manually goes through the text which can be time consuming and labour intensive. The process requires high level of expertise and training and can be more expensive. But the investment in human translation pays off in accuracy and cultural sensitivity.

• For businesses and organisations that value quality and nuance the benefits of human translation far outweigh the extra resources required.

That’s why human translation is an essential for projects where precision and cultural context matters.

The power of human translation

When it comes to expressing the subtleties and nuances of language, there is no doubt that humans have an advantage. Human translators possess the ability to understand cultural contexts, idioms, and the unspoken message within a text.

Human translation services play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and culturally sensitive translations, especially for industries such as medical, legal, and user manuals.

• After all, languages evolve, slang and new terms that were once alien to humans, become international, think what Googling meant in 1924? Human linguists understand language and the world around them because this is their vocation in life.

They can adapt to the tone, style, and intention of the original content, making sure the translated text resonates with the target audience and new words entering the dictionary like Brexit for example, are used appropriately.

Collaborating with professional translators brings creativity, communication advantages, and ensures high conversion rates.

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Benefits of human translation

1. Cultural awareness: Human translators have an instinct for cultural subtleties and regional differences. They can tailor the translation to the target audience, avoiding cultural blunders and misinterpretations.
2. Contextual understanding: A human translator can read between the lines of a text. They can translate idioms, metaphors and cultural references that would be lost on machines. They can adapt to changing project requirements so the original meaning of the content is preserved. The choice between machine and human translation depends on your project goals and needs.
3. Quality control: Human translators can review and edit their work to ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency. They can spot errors, omissions or inconsistencies that machines might have missed. It’s especially important to have a human to verify and fact check a ChatGPT translation as OpenAI (the providers of this service) warn that responses generated can be wrong or biased. Learn more about ChatGPT risks HERE.
4. Complex content: When it comes to technical or industry specific content, human translators are the way to go. They have in-depth knowledge and expertise to navigate the complex jargon that machines can’t. Their industry knowledge and professional credentials will create authentic original content that can later be used to train Machine Learning models.

There is a flood of bad machine translations which have a serious impact on AI training models

Cons of human translation

1. Time-consuming: Human translation is a meticulous craft that requires time and patience. Tight deadlines might not always align with the careful consideration needed for accurate translations. Translation speed can be improved by using multiple linguists, ISO:9001 quality management systems and machine learning tools like GAI.
2. Cost: Quality comes at a price. Hiring skilled human translators can be more expensive, especially for large-scale projects, making it less viable for budget-conscious ventures. Translation costs savings can be made by using a managed translation service like GAI Aided or GAI Expert-in-the-Loop that uses machine translation with a human touch.
3. Subjectivity: Different translators may interpret a phrase or sentence differently. This subjectivity introduces an element of variability that can affect the consistency of translations. This is mitigated by verifying terms with a second or third linguist and feeding this new knowledge into an official term base and translation memory.

Machine Translation: The rise of neural machine translation algorithms

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, machine translation has made remarkable progress over the years. Machine Translation (MT) systems utilise algorithms to translate text from one language to another, creating instant translations at the click of a button.

Neural machine translation is continuously improving, learning from human speech and using its own logic to decide translations.

Make sure to have a look at our ChatGPT security best practices: A comprehensive guide.

Benefits of machine translation

1. Speed and efficiency: Machine Translation systems can process large volumes of text in a matter of seconds, making them ideal for quick translations or when time is of the essence.
   Google Translate, for instance, is widely used for its speed and convenience, but it has limitations in terms of accuracy and reliability. It often struggles with contextual nuances and can produce literal translations that may not always be grammatically correct.
2. Cost-effective: Machine Translation is often more cost-effective than human translation. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses or individuals with limited translation budgets.
3. Consistency: Machine translation ensures a consistent translation style and terminology, as it follows pre-defined rules and algorithms. This can be advantageous for technical or specialised content that requires consistent terminology throughout.
4. Constant evolution: Machine Translation algorithms continually evolve, learning from vast datasets. This adaptability means they can improve over time, addressing and rectifying errors in their previous translations.

The limitations of machine translation

While Machine Translation has come a long way, it still faces several challenges that human translators effortlessly overcome.

Machine translation post editing plays a crucial role in ensuring cultural sensitivities and context accuracy, bridging the gap between automated translations and the nuanced understanding required for high-quality translations.

Cons of machine translation

1. Accuracy and reliability: Machine Translation systems can struggle with idiomatic expressions, complex sentence structures, and ambiguous vocabulary. This can lead to inaccuracies and mistranslations that only human translators can detect and rectify. OpenAI advises users of its ChatGPT translation tool to verify results because they may be wrong.
2. Cultural adaptation: Machine Translation can lack the cultural sensitivity and understanding that human translators possess. It may not fully grasp the cultural nuances, causing translations to sound awkward or inappropriate in the target language.
3. Subjectivity and creativity: Translating creative and subjective content, such as literature, songs or poetry, requires a level of interpretation and artistic flair that machines simply cannot replicate.
4. Over-Reliance on technology: Depending solely on machine translation might lead to a disconnect with the human touch. In sensitive situations or industries where personalisation is crucial, an over-reliance on algorithms could be a detriment. It is especially important to get a human linguist to verify translations of scripts that will be spoken by Digital Humans because errors here can increase fears of fake news and cause reputational harm.

GAI Translate: The best of both machine translation vs human translation

In the realm of translation, both human and machine translation have their strengths and weaknesses. While machine translation provides convenience and speed, human translation shines in its ability to capture the essence of language and culture. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the specific requirements of each translation project.

• Translation projects benefit from the efficiency, accuracy, and contextual understanding that human translation offers, while machine translation projects can be suitable for non-critical tasks and repetitive translation tasks. The perfect solution is a blend of human and machine translation, and that is now available.

Say goodbye to old, manual translation workflows, by saying hello to GAI. The GAI software is remarkable because it translates text and documents in PDF, PowerPoint and other formats with ease. It has the first easy to use, automated Expert-in-the-Loop feature that lets you have a human expert verify your translations. It also saves translations for you.

You can integrate GAI into your digital platforms via an API or use the secure portal. Best of all, it's secure and keeps your data private. If you want your digital ecosystem to be multilingual, now you can do it quickly and easily. Learn more about how our technologies work in our FAQ pages.