My Conversations with ChatGPT
Machine Translation (MT) and translations generated by AI have brought about a paradigm shift in the translation industry. The output of MT will continue to improve, especially when associated with clients’ translation memories and human editing. Language Service Providers are adapting and are including MT in their processes, when MT is applicable. While linguists will continue to be essential in the process, their role will shift from that of translators to validators of content generated by MT. At Excel Translations, we wanted to know what AI thinks about all of this and decided to have an open conversation on the matter with ChatGPT. I will regularly publish a question and ChatGPT’s response, uncensored.
QUESTION 150:
Is machine translation a good tool for interpersonal communication?
Chat GPT’s Response:
Machine translation can be a useful tool for interpersonal communication in certain contexts, but it has significant limitations that make it less ideal for nuanced, high-stakes, or sensitive interactions. Here are some factors to consider:
When Machine Translation is Useful:
Basic Communication:
Simple Conversations: Machine translation can help bridge language gaps for basic, straightforward conversations, such as asking for directions, ordering food, or simple customer service inquiries.
Initial Understanding: It can provide a rough understanding of foreign-language text or speech, which can be helpful in getting the gist of a message.
Quick and Convenient:
Speed: Machine translation is fast, providing immediate translations that can facilitate quick exchanges of information.
Availability: Many machine translation tools are readily available on smartphones and other devices, making them accessible in many situations.
Summary:
Machine translation can be helpful for basic, low-stakes interpersonal communication, providing quick and convenient translations for simple exchanges. However, for more nuanced, important, or sensitive interactions, it is better to rely on human translators or interpreters to ensure accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication.
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