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What are the pros and cons of using machine translation, and how does it compare to human translation in terms of accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness, according to professional translators
Professional translators have mixed views on machine translation, acknowledging its usefulness in some cases but also highlighting its limitations, particularly when it comes to producing high-quality translations. While machine translation can be fast and cost-effective, it may lack the nuance and accuracy that human translators can provide, especially when translating between languages from different families.
Many professional translators use machine translation as a tool to aid in their work, but they do not rely solely on it. They may use machine translation to translate the bulk of the text, but then review and edit it to ensure accuracy, clarity, and cultural appropriateness. In fact, a survey of professional translators found that 80% of respondents used machine translation in their work, but only 15% relied solely on it.
Professional translators acknowledge that machine translation can be useful for translating content that is not meant to be literary or poetic, such as technical documents, software strings, or website content. However, when it comes to translating marketing materials, literary works, or sensitive documents, human translation is generally preferred to ensure that the nuances of language and culture are accurately conveyed.
In terms of speed, machine translation can produce translations much faster than human translation, particularly for large volumes of text. However, the quality of machine-translated text can vary depending on the complexity and nuance of the content, as well as the quality of the machine translation software being used.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, machine translation can be a cost-effective solution for translating large volumes of text, particularly for businesses that need to translate large amounts of content regularly. However, the cost-effectiveness of machine translation can also depend on the quality of the output, which may require additional editing and review by human translators.
Overall, professional translators view machine translation as a useful tool that can aid in their work, but not a replacement for human translation. While machine translation can produce accurate translations, particularly for technical content, it may lack the nuance and cultural sensitivity that human translators can provide.
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