Metwally Galal

The pivotal role of computers in our daily lives is undeniable. They stand as pillars of our modern era, executing tasks and streamlining processes in unprecedented ways. This influence extends to the field of translation, where the significance of modern tools and computer-assisted translation technologies like CAT Tools cannot be underestimated. Even professional translators find value in these modern translation techniques, given their ability to enhance productivity, streamline the translation process, and provide a valuable translation memory.

While it is widely acknowledged that translation services offered by entities like Google and other machine translation programs such as Word Reference are continually advancing, the central question we address in this article is whether human translators can be replaced in light of these advancements in automated translation tools.

The unequivocal response to this question is “no.” There are several compelling reasons why the collaboration with specialized human translators should still be considered indispensable, irrespective of how advanced modern technologies become. Some of these reasons include:

Literal Translations are Insufficient:

Translation is not a mere mechanical replacement of words and phrases with their counterparts from dictionaries and language references. It involves the nuanced conveyance of the complete meaning of a sentence, a task that machines have yet to fully grasp. For instance, in the English language, the verb “run” can assume various meanings contingent upon the context of the sentence, including physical running, managing, depleting, or mixing. Attempting to translate this word in isolation would yield a plethora of possible meanings, underscoring the necessity of a human translator who comprehends the contextual nuances and can eloquently render them in Arabic.

Read more: Literal Translation: A Challenge for Translation Novices

Machines Do Not Understand Cultures:

Have you ever pondered why a non-Muslim country like China manufactures and exports items like Ramadan lanterns, prayer rugs, and other Islamic products? It’s because they possess an understanding of cultural nuances and recognize the community’s needs at specific times. Similar principles apply in the realm of translation, where it serves as a medium of communication not solely between languages but between cultures. There exist elements that may be acceptable within one culture but are culturally inappropriate in others. A human translator must exercise prudence in such instances, a capacity that machines lack, and which can lead to substantial losses.

Marketing and Addressing Local Clients:

In an era of rapid globalization, it has become imperative for companies to communicate with international clients on a local level. Translation has evolved from mere word-for-word conversions facilitated by websites and software to the craft of conveying messages that resonate with both international and domestic clientele. Venturing into a new market without comprehending its culture and failing to localize your message through the products you export is an ill-conceived strategy. Machines cannot comprehend marketing nuances or effectively engage with clients.

Avoiding Financial Losses:

Some may assume that engaging human translators incurs higher costs. However, the reality diverges significantly from this perception. The expense of rectifying a major corporation’s marketing campaign marred by inaccuracies due to machine translation or losing a million-dollar client due to an ill-considered email prompted by automated translation is far more substantial. Human translators can leverage their intuition to forestall typographical errors, recurrent terminology issues, or misunderstandings. Even when a human translator encounters difficulty in a specific area, they can simply pick up the phone for clarification. This guarantees that you never receive an incomplete or erroneous translation from a specialized human translator.

In conclusion, humans bring specialization to your field, delivering work more efficiently than machines while maintaining unmatched quality and accuracy. If these reasons fail to persuade you regarding the imperative nature of collaborating with human translators, consider this: we inhabit a human world, interact with humans, sell to humans, buy from humans, and establish relationships with humans. Thus, when your goal is to communicate with humans, why resort to robots?

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