Ask ChatGPT – October 17, 2023

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 70:

What are the implications of evolving language and cultural trends on our translation and localization services?

Chat GPT’s Response:

Evolving language and cultural trends have significant implications for translation and localization services. Language is not static, and cultural norms and preferences change over time. To provide effective translation and localization, service providers must adapt to these trends. Here are some key implications:

1. Incorporating New Terminology: As languages evolve, new words and phrases emerge, often driven by technological advancements, social changes, or cultural shifts. Translation services must stay current with these linguistic developments to accurately convey meaning in the target language.
2. Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness: Cultural trends impact how content is perceived and received. Translators and localizers must be aware of shifting cultural norms, sensitivities, and taboos to ensure that content doesn’t inadvertently offend or alienate the target audience.
3. Inclusive Language: The use of inclusive language, which respects gender, race, and other identities, is becoming more important. Translation and localization services need to adapt to these inclusive language trends, addressing issues like gender-neutral language and diverse representation.
4. Trend-Driven Localization: Brands often adapt their content and marketing to align with current cultural trends. Localization services must keep up with these trends to ensure that content remains relevant and appealing to the target audience.
5. Multimodal Content: Evolving language and cultural trends often relate to new forms of communication, such as emojis, GIFs, memes, and social media slang. Translation and localization services need to understand and adapt to these emerging communication modes.

To thrive in this ever-changing landscape, translation and localization services must be adaptable, well-informed, and culturally sensitive. Keeping a finger on the pulse of linguistic and cultural trends is essential to provide high-quality, relevant, and effective services.