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 127:
Are there certain kinds of documents that customers will now translate themselves as opposed to asking their translation vendor?
Chat GPT’s Response:
Yes, certain types of documents or content may be translated by customers themselves rather than relying on a translation vendor. Here are a few reasons why customers might choose to handle translation in-house for certain types of content:
Internal Documents: Companies often have internal documents such as memos, announcements, or reports that are intended for internal use only and may not require professional translation. In such cases, especially if the documents are straightforward and don’t require specialized terminology, companies might opt to translate them internally to save on costs.
Simple Marketing Materials: Basic marketing materials such as social media posts, simple advertisements, or short promotional content may not always require the expertise of a professional translator. If the content is relatively simple and the target audience is small or localized, companies may choose to handle the translation themselves using online translation tools or bilingual staff members.
Urgent or Informal Communications: When there’s a need for quick communication with a limited audience, such as urgent emails or informal memos, companies may opt for internal translation to expedite the process. In urgent situations, waiting for a professional translation service may not be feasible.
Content with Limited Impact: Some content, such as internal training materials, minor updates to website content, or non-critical documentation, may not have a significant impact on the company’s reputation or brand image. In such cases, companies may decide to handle the translation internally to save time and resources.
Preference for Control or Confidentiality: Some companies may prefer to keep certain documents or content in-house for reasons of confidentiality or control over the translation process. This is particularly relevant for sensitive information or proprietary content that requires strict confidentiality measures.
However, it’s important to note that while handling translation internally for certain types of content may seem cost-effective or convenient, it can also come with risks such as inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and potential damage to the company’s reputation if the translation is not of high quality. Therefore, it’s essential for companies to assess the complexity and importance of the content before deciding whether to handle translation internally or engage the services of a professional translation vendor.
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