Machine translations vs. human translations: What companies should know?

by 16 Oct, 2024

With the development of today’s technology, more and more companies are considering whether using machine translation could be sufficient for their needs. Services like Google Translate have made translating easier and faster than ever before. The accuracy and speed of machine translations have improved significantly, but is machine translation always the best solution? It is important to understand when a machine translation can be sufficient and when a human translator is necessary.

The benefits of machine translation

  1. Speed: One of the biggest advantages of machine translation is its speed. The machine can translate large amounts of text in seconds, which can be useful when a quick translation is needed to support understanding. This can, for example, be suitable for situations where a preliminary understanding of the content of the text is needed.
  2. Affordability: Machine translation services are often free or cost significantly less than services provided by human translators. This makes them an attractive option for companies looking to save on costs.
  3. Easy availability: Machine translation services are easily available online and can be used at any time without a separate subscription or waiting time.

Limitations of machine translations

Although machine translations offer benefits in terms of speed and cost, they have significant limitations, especially in terms of quality and accuracy.

  1. Understanding the context: Machine translations have difficulty understanding the context, which is often a key part of the translation work. For example, words with multiple meanings or expressions linked to culture can cause errors that the machine cannot recognize or correct.
  2. Cultural differences: Machine translations do not take into account cultural nuances, which can be important in, for example, marketing communications. A professional translator knows how to adapt the translation to the culture of the target country and ensure that the message is conveyed correctly and appropriately.
  3. Maintaining style and tone: In corporate communication, the style and tone of the language are often decisive. Machine translations are not always able to preserve subtle nuances of the original text, such as formality or humor. A human translator, on the other hand, knows how to adapt the tone of the language to suit the situation and the target audience.
  4. Technical and specialized fields: Especially for translations in specialized fields, such as medicine or law, machine translation may be insufficient. These fields require deep expertise, and mistakes can lead to serious misunderstandings.

When to use a human translator?

  1. Translations that require accuracy and quality: When it comes to an official document, marketing material or other content where the quality of the language is very important, using a human translator is essential. A human translator ensures that the translation is accurate and that the message is conveyed correctly.
  2. Projects requiring localization: The company’s brand and communication must be adapted to the target culture, and translation alone is not enough. A translator specializing in localization considers local customs, habits and the special features of the language area.
  3. Critical and sensitive materials: Business-related legal documents, technical manuals or other documents that require accuracy require the expertise of a human translator. Even small mistakes in these can cause big misunderstandings.

When is machine translation enough?

Machine translation can be useful when you need a quick translation of a text that is not critical or intended for publication. If the purpose of the translation is only to give a general understanding of the content, machine translation can be a good help.

Finally

Machine translations have advanced considerably, but human translators still provide invaluable added value in many situations. High-quality communication is vital for companies, and the quality of translations can directly affect the company’s success. That’s why it’s important to choose the right translation option according to the need – sometimes speed is enough, but in some cases accuracy and expertise are priceless.