Machine Translation

What Is Machine Translation?

Put simply, machine translation is automated translation. Computer software can now translate text from one language to another with reliable accuracy. Machine translation is often used for web apps such as Google Translate, but it can also form part of a translation process that includes skilled human translators, further improving the accuracy.

Though users of Google Translate might assume machine translation runs on fairly straightforward algorithms, it is actually highly complex. No accurate translation can simply replace source text word-for-word. In almost all cases the result would make little-to-no sense. Instead, machine translation services must use a program that takes into account the context and grammar of different languages in order to ensure accurate results.

Machine translation is a relatively new addition to the translation service sector, with technology only recently becoming accurate enough to use in a professional setting. Though it must always be checked over by a human professional, machine translation services can still be very useful for global businesses and organisations.

Though it can be helpful, machine translation is not appropriate in all circumstances, especially when translating important legal documents, sensitive data, and anything that requires cultural context. In these cases, skilled human translators are best.

While computer software may be able to match and translate words in a relatively complex way, it still often has trouble when it comes to managing tone, cultural cues and expressions.

Machine translation services work best for written text, as opposed to in-person or recorded speech. Translating a text file that has been uploaded to a computer has a far lower chance of inaccuracy, since potentially difficult factors like accent, dialect, talking speed and other vocal inflections are removed.