Software Vs. Human Translators - Who Wins?

One of the most commonly asked questions in the translation industry is: Can computers translate adequately from one language to another?

Yes is the short answer, but with a catch. The quality of translation fluctuates from extremely poor to barely intelligible. To date, direct machine translation still yields a crude representation of an original text due to language complexity . While useful for some applications, computer generated translation is inappropriate for others. To understand the limits and usefulness of computers in language translation , we need to classify the general types of translation software available and what they offer.

MachineTranslation

Many translation software packages are available for purchase; you often can test them out free in the Internet. Sophisticated language processing and analysis are the basis of these software packages. Although limited when the richness of language is considered, they provide an adequate rough translation of foreign text. Experienced translators can use these tools to speed translation. However, for those inexperienced in a language, the software renders awkward, inexact, and grammatically incorrect text. With this in mind, acceptable uses for machine translations include reading correspondence and translating foreign websites. However, machine translations without the aid of a human translator to communicate with your customers simply give the wrong impression. You run the risk of losing the client.

Using machine translations effectively requires careful planning, language consistency in the source text, and strict stylistic guidelines in the source language. Where accuracy and style is important, machine translations never will replace a human translator.

Terminology Managers

Terminology managers are relatively simple programs that store glossaries for the translator's quick reference. They insert words into the target text. These tools help manage terminology and provide consistency throughout documents with little user flexibility.

TranslationMemory Software (TMS)

TMS is a database that enables translators to store previously translated sentences, phrases, and terminology. Using a combination of terminology managers, the translator builds a database for each client . The software assembles translated text that combines previously translated sentences and phrases and words stored in the terminology database. The translator then chooses the stored version or crafts an entirely new one.

This type of software, useful for highly repetitious text, achieves terminology consistency, especially when several translators work simultaneously on a large project. The translator always controls the translated text, but the software eliminates repetitive term, phrase, or sentence translation. Significant cost and time can be saved.

by: Richard Allenby

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