AI seems to be taking over everything in recent years. With the growing popularity of machine translation, it may seem that human translators are no longer needed- after all, they cost more and take more time, right?
Well, despite the impressive capabilities of AI technology, there are still many situations where a human translator is incredibly valuable. Here are a few reasons why a human translator is always the best choice.
Accuracy
Although machine translation software has improved significantly in recent years, it still can not match the accuracy of a human translator’s work. An excellent human translator will consistently deliver accurate and high-quality translations without any errors or inconsistencies.
The key reason for this is the ability of humans to be able to pick up on context, complex emotions and relationships in written content. For example, a machine may not be able to interpret the subtle difference between “you can count on me” in its literal sense or if it is being conveyed sarcastically. Consequently, a machine translator tool (MTT) might produce incorrect translations.
Localisation
Every language comes with its quirks and local expressions. These little differences can often be crucial in conveying your content’s meaning and intent, especially if you are producing something for a specific market or audience. An MTT simply doesn’t have this kind of contextual awareness and is, therefore, unable to provide translations that truly reflect the nuances of localised language.
This is where human translators are still indispensable. They can provide you with translations that accurately reflect the target language, making them a better choice for any kind of content intended for an international audience.
Guaranteed service
Say you do use AI translation to get your content translated. How do you know if the translation is correct? You still have to get someone (a human) to check its accuracy. There is a high chance that you have to rework quite a few bits to perfect the translated content.
In contrast, with human translators — especially when you pick a reputed translation agency — you will always get quality service that is guaranteed to be accurate and delivered on time. A good translator will work hard to ensure that your translations are perfect every time, eliminating any guesswork or potential errors – making human translation a better bet for your time and money.
Complicated Industries
Translation requirements vary according to industries. Some, such as finance, legal, technical, medicine and health care, possess highly-technical and complex terms, requiring specialist-level knowledge of the industry and the relevant language. In these sectors, it is not enough to translate the content; you need a native speaker who understands the subject matter and can accurately transmit complex information clearly and concisely.
With machine translation software, this kind of accuracy simply isn’t possible. For example, Translate by Humans has experienced translators specialising in industries like tech, medicine, legal, eCommerce and more. For complicated industries like these, human translators are still the preferred choice if you want to be sure that your translation is accurate and error-free.
Cultural Sensitivity
Beyond accuracy and localisation, there is another crucial element – cultural sensitivity. For example, it can be acceptable to use specific expressions in certain languages that you may not be able to use when translating into another language. Without a proper understanding of the culture and customs, your translation will likely miss the mark or come across as insensitive. This can potentially lead to severe misinterpretations and miscommunications, damaging your brand and reputation.
For example, in English, we say ‘you’ when addressing someone, irrespective of their age and stature. In Germany, it is polite to formally address someone with a sentence beginning with “Sie,” meaning “you.” However, when speaking to a close friend or family member, it is more appropriate to use “du.”
Human translators have the cultural awareness needed to ensure that they don’t make these kinds of errors. Although machine translation software may provide technically correct translations, they are unlikely to factor in cultural sensitivities.
Live translations
With all these risks, imagine using AI for live translation for an important event! Imagine the speaker talking about a sensitive issue and the AI translation tool producing inaccurate translations. You wouldn’t want something like that to get broadcast, would you?
Thankfully, human translators are ideally suited for live translations. With their attention to detail, quick response times and years of experience in the niche field of translation, they can help to convey the messages correctly in all your important events.
Personalised
Working with a human translator is like going to a designer you know is good and getting a dress made. Do you want to add a collar to it? Any particular design element? How do you want it to fit? The designer will take detailed note of your requirement and deliver them exactly as you want.
On the other hand, AI translation is like getting an article of mass-produced clothing made by a machine. There’s no question of personalisation. Sure, your dress will be ready sooner and might come at a lower price, but you have to make do with the fitting issues, the design issues, and any other changes you want to make will have to be made at an extra fee.
While AI translation has improved dramatically in recent years and may be a good choice for translating straightforward content or one-off projects, it still cannot match the accuracy and quality achieved with human translations.
Conclusion
Human translation is the better choice if you need quality content that truly reflects your brand and resonates with your target audience. So if accuracy, personalisation, and reliability are important to you, then it’s certainly best to stick with human translators or translating agencies that have human translators.
At Translate by Humans, we have experienced native translators who provide high-quality translations even if you’re looking for a quick turnaround time. We will assign a dedicated project manager to each project to ensure all your requirements are met, and you can always have someone to contact. We are also GDPR and HIPAA-compliant, and ISO certified, so your data is safe with us, and the quality of output is guaranteed. So, what are you waiting for? Get a free quote now.
