Google Translate has improved significantly over the years, especially with the introduction of Google Neural Machine Translation (GNMT) in 2016. This AI-powered algorithm fetches the meaning from a broader context, making translations more accurate. Research and practical tests have shown that Google Translate is now considered one of the most reliable and accurate machine translation tools, particularly for high-resource languages. For example, a reevaluation in 2019 showed a 34% improvement in accuracy, and Inteno 2022 ranked Google Translate first among 18 other engines for almost all language pairs.
However, it is important to note that Google Translate may not always provide perfect translations, especially for languages with less data or for complex texts that require context. Factors such as the meaning of individual words, the nuances of the language, and the intended audience can all affect the accuracy of the translation. Therefore, while Google Translate can be a helpful tool for basic communication and understanding, it may not be sufficient for professional or legal purposes, and it is always advisable to consult a qualified translator for important documents or complex texts.