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Translation Platforms: Useful, But Not Perfect

Rachel Anne Normand
11 avr.
4 min de lecture

By Cate Mantet-Bonsrah, Grade 11 Co-op Student

Many people use translation platforms to increase their productivity and professionalism or improve the quality of their work. There are plenty of these tools on the Internet, including Google Translate, DeepL, Reverso and Antidote. But is it a good idea to rely entirely on them to translate your documents?

Here, we’ll explain what translation platforms are and outline their advantages and disadvantages. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to make the most of these tools.

What Exactly Is a Translation Platform?

A translation platform is designed to translate words, sentences or entire texts from one language to another. These platforms use artificial intelligence and large databases to create increasingly accurate translations.

Based on my research, the first machine translation software was developed around 30 years ago by companies such as Microsoft and IBM. Originally, these tools were designed to improve information retrieval systems. They later became available to the public for free.

A translation platform can be very useful to quickly understand a simple text in another language. A person who speaks German, for example, can use it to understand the menu of a Spanish or English restaurant.

The Advantages of Translation Platforms

There are many advantages to using translation software, in particular, to increase productivity and professionalism.

Save Time
One of the main reasons why translators use these platforms is because they allow them to work faster. For example, they can translate several documents in a short period of time.
User-Friendly
These tools are easy to use, even for someone who doesn’t speak another language well. They are also practical for people who need a quick translation with little complexity.
Save Costs
It is often more affordable for a client to use a translation platform than to hire a person to do the work.

What Translators Are Saying

I asked some professional translators a few questions to find out if they use translation tools for their work. Here are some of the answers I got.

One translator told me that translation tools help her save around 20-30% of her time. Another translator explained to me that he uses DeepL Pro because this platform better protects confidential data. He starts by generating a draft translation on the platform, then reviews everything by hand to correct errors, improve style and adjust tone. He also uses this tool to generate different translation options when he is unsure about a difficult word or expression.

While this helps him, he insists on using these tools with discretion and a critical eye. He recommends always asking the question: “Is this a quality product in itself?” You also have to watch out for certain mistakes the platform can make, such as false equivalences, tone problems or sentences that don’t make sense.

This individual also gave me an interesting comparison: “I like to compare it to a dentist or optometrist receiving a new piece of equipment: it doesn’t replace the professional, but it enables them to do the job faster and more efficiently, provided the human element stays central to the process, of course!”

The Limits and Disadvantages of Translation Platforms

Although translation platforms may seem like magical tools, this is not always the case. You need to be careful when using them, especially if you want to create a good text.

Frequent Errors
Even though these platforms operate quickly, they can still introduce errors. They can include grammatical errors, awkward phrasing or misinterpretation of content, which may also appear robotic.
Limited Awareness of Context
These tools often produce word-for-word translations, without taking into account the overall context. Sometimes the translation is accurate, but sometimes it’s not. For example, the word “pièce” can mean a “play,” a “piece” or an “object,” depending on the context. A human would understand the difference, but a machine can get it wrong.
Limitations in Specialized Fields
The vocabulary generated by platforms can be limited, especially in fields like medicine or law. These tools don’t have the same knowledge as someone who has studied for seven or eight years in a specific field, for example.
Limited Awareness of Cultural Differences
Let’s say you want to translate a text into a language with several dialects. Translation platforms are not always programmed to take these cultural or local differences into account.

Some Useful Tips

Using a translation platform is not a bad idea. But you need to know how to use it properly. Here are a few practical tips:

Check and double-check the translated text. Make sure that every sentence makes sense, that there are no errors and that the tone is appropriate.
Use your judgment. Always ask yourself: “Would I say it like this in my language?”
Ask someone for help if you’re not sure about certain expressions.
For more specialized or important texts, it’s often preferable to use a translation agency or a qualified professional.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using a translation platform is not a bad idea. These tools have been around for some 30 years, and they’ve improved a lot. However, they are still not perfect. You always have to be careful, as technology doesn’t understand everything and can’t replace the human touch. There are still many improvements to be made before these platforms are 100% reliable.

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