The work of translators and interpreters has been a vital part of human communication since the earliest days. There is no question that translators and interpreters play a vital role in connecting people across languages, cultures and industries and in global connectivity.
In our previous article, we explored the history behind International Translation Day and its connection to St. Jerome – the patron saint of translators which is celebrated on 30 September. While St. Jerome’s significant contribution in translating the Hebrew Bible into Latin is well known, the art of translation dates back long before his time. It is believed that interpreting originated in ancient Egypt during the third millennium.
However, as technology evolves, so do the challenges faced by many industries, including translation and interpreting. One of the biggest shifts today comes from the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). Many professionals may wonder what this means for their future, but for translators and interpreters, the question of whether AI will render their role obsolete is increasingly common.
While there is no definitive study proving AI will completely replace human translators and interpreters, it is essential to examine both the benefits and limitations of AI translation tools.
Technology in Translation: A Historical Perspective
The use of technology in translation isn’t new. For years translators have utilised computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and machine translation software to aid their work. Think of these tools like a sculptor’s chisel. While they assist the artist in shaping the material, they don’t replace the artist’s expertise. Human translators still ensure that meaning is accurately conveyed across languages.
With AI’s recent advancements there are growing concerns that it could fully automate translation and interpreting work. For example, AI advancements in language interpretation have progressed to the point where it can take a video of someone speaking in one language and seamlessly translate it into another, even synchronising the speaker’s mouth movements to align with the new language. These tools can make it appear as though the speaker is a native speaker of the translated language.
While this technology is undeniably impressive, it’s important not to overlook its limitations. Interpretation and translation go beyond simply converting words or speech from one language to another. They involve understanding and conveying cultural context, emotions and other subtleties of communication that AI has yet to fully grasp.
In our previous article, we explored the history behind International Translation Day and its connection to St. Jerome – the patron saint of translators which is celebrated on 30 September. While St. Jerome’s significant contribution in translating the Hebrew Bible into Latin is well known, the art of translation dates back long before his time. It is believed that interpreting originated in ancient Egypt during the third millennium.
However, as technology evolves, so do the challenges faced by many industries, including translation and interpreting. One of the biggest shifts today comes from the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). Many professionals may wonder what this means for their future, but for translators and interpreters, the question of whether AI will render their role obsolete is increasingly common.
While there is no definitive study proving AI will completely replace human translators and interpreters, it is essential to examine both the benefits and limitations of AI translation tools.
Technology in Translation: A Historical Perspective
The use of technology in translation isn’t new. For years translators have utilised computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and machine translation software to aid their work. Think of these tools like a sculptor’s chisel. While they assist the artist in shaping the material, they don’t replace the artist’s expertise. Human translators still ensure that meaning is accurately conveyed across languages.
With AI’s recent advancements there are growing concerns that it could fully automate translation and interpreting work. For example, AI advancements in language interpretation have progressed to the point where it can take a video of someone speaking in one language and seamlessly translate it into another, even synchronising the speaker’s mouth movements to align with the new language. These tools can make it appear as though the speaker is a native speaker of the translated language.
While this technology is undeniably impressive, it’s important not to overlook its limitations. Interpretation and translation go beyond simply converting words or speech from one language to another. They involve understanding and conveying cultural context, emotions and other subtleties of communication that AI has yet to fully grasp.
AI's Limitations in Capturing Nuance
Despite AI's ability to generate highly accurate content, it often struggles to convey the subtleties of tone, emotion and context that human translators and interpreters instinctively understand. This shortfall is particularly noticeable in fields such as politics and diplomacy, where speeches are frequently laden with nuances that require more than a literal interpretation. We cannot avoid or ignore the fact that humans are complex creatures and we communicate in complex ways.
For instance, interpreters and translators understand and appreciate that intonation, inflection, rhythm, pauses, facial expressions and cultural context all contribute to the meaning of what is said or written. AI hasn’t yet mastered these subtleties to the level at which a human translator or interpreter can.
Another area where AI's limitations become evident is in the translation of legal documents where precision is crucial. AI often struggles to fully grasp and accurately translate legal documents, as a deep understanding of legal jargon and context is essential.
Ethics
Last, but certainly not least, is the issue of ethics. Translators often handle highly confidential documents, and there is no guarantee that AI can adequately protect such sensitive information. This raises the risk of breaching client confidentiality. Similarly, human interpreters frequently participate in private meetings between world leaders, where the discussion is not intended for public knowledge. In such cases, interpreters are bound by strict non-disclosure agreements, with severe consequences if breached. There is still no assurance that AI can uphold such high levels of confidentiality, and seeking legal redress from AI developers could prove costly and unnecessarily time-consuming. In some instances, the issue of legal redress by way of damages or compensation for breach of confidentiality may not be sufficient to mitigate the loss or damage suffered.
Conclusion
Though AI translation and interpreting tools are becoming more advanced, human translators and interpreters continue to play an essential role in ensuring that language retains its richness and depth in cross-cultural communication. For now, the artistry of translation and interpreting remains a uniquely human skill, one that machines cannot fully replicate.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the advancement of AI tools? Do you think AI can fully replace translators and interpreters in the future?
Connect with us for more information on how we can support your language and intercultural needs.
AI's Limitations in Capturing Nuance
Despite AI's ability to generate highly accurate content, it often struggles to convey the subtleties of tone, emotion and context that human translators and interpreters instinctively understand. This shortfall is particularly noticeable in fields such as politics and diplomacy, where speeches are frequently laden with nuances that require more than a literal interpretation. We cannot avoid or ignore the fact that humans are complex creatures and we communicate in complex ways.
For instance, interpreters and translators understand and appreciate that intonation, inflection, rhythm, pauses, facial expressions and cultural context all contribute to the meaning of what is said or written. AI hasn’t yet mastered these subtleties to the level at which a human translator or interpreter can.
Another area where AI's limitations become evident is in the translation of legal documents where precision is crucial. AI often struggles to fully grasp and accurately translate legal documents, as a deep understanding of legal jargon and context is essential.
Ethics
Last, but certainly not least, is the issue of ethics. Translators often handle highly confidential documents, and there is no guarantee that AI can adequately protect such sensitive information. This raises the risk of breaching client confidentiality. Similarly, human interpreters frequently participate in private meetings between world leaders, where the discussion is not intended for public knowledge. In such cases, interpreters are bound by strict non-disclosure agreements, with severe consequences if breached. There is still no assurance that AI can uphold such high levels of confidentiality, and seeking legal redress from AI developers could prove costly and unnecessarily time-consuming. In some instances, the issue of legal redress by way of damages or compensation for breach of confidentiality may not be sufficient to mitigate the loss or damage suffered.
Conclusion
Though AI translation and interpreting tools are becoming more advanced, human translators and interpreters continue to play an essential role in ensuring that language retains its richness and depth in cross-cultural communication. For now, the artistry of translation and interpreting remains a uniquely human skill, one that machines cannot fully replicate.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the advancement of AI tools? Do you think AI can fully replace translators and interpreters in the future?
Connect with us for more information on how we can support your language and intercultural needs.
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