In a busy workday, translating internal company documents quickly and accurately can be a challenge. AI translations have become a valuable tool in this process.
While AI technology such as Chat-GPT can help understand basic content, human intervention is needed for more commercial and legal texts to ensure accuracy and context.
Erik and Diane talk about AI vs. professional translation
Benefits of AI translations
When using using AI translations you can save time, which means you can get your internal documents translated faster without unnecessary delays.
This technology enables instant understanding of texts in different languages through advanced algorithms.
However, professional proofreading may be necessary to ensure consistency of terminology and nuances in language, especially when it comes to specialized content like legal documents.
Overall, AI translations can streamline your workflow. Continuous developments in AI pave the way for ever-improving accuracy and contextual understanding.
Limitations of AI translations
When it comes to AI translationsincluding the use of Chat-GPT, there are certain challenges that require attention, especially when accuracy and cultural nuances are crucial.
Experts emphasize that AI can often overlook the context of complex texts.
One of the major limitations of AI translations is the understanding of idioms, which can be translated literally, leading to misunderstandings. Similarly, technical terms can be inconsistent, especially when they appear in different contexts.
When you look into ‘idioms’ – “It’s raining cats and dogs” you have seen that the translation is that it’s raining cats and animals from the sky… So it can be difficult for AI to translate the content into it’s raining (which is the correct understanding/translation).
For businesses that want to maintain consistent and professional communication, it’s important to be aware of these limitations.
Commercial use of translations
When using translations commercially, accuracy and context are essential to ensure proper communication and brand value.
- Legal documents require precision for legal validity.
- Marketing materials need to adapt to cultural and local nuances.
- Scientific publications must be preserved with great accuracy.
For commercial use, it is often necessary to involve professional translators to minimize errors.
AI technology like Chat-GPT can complement, but human expertise ensures contextual and cultural correctness.
Technical terms and AI translations
When using AI technology to translate technical terms, uncertainty around accuracy can arise, especially when terminology varies between industries. Consistency and accuracy can become an issue when AI isn’t trained specifically in the relevant field, highlighting the need for a critical review by experts.
Consistent translation of terms
When using using AI translations for internal documents, it is crucial to ensure terminological consistency. How do you achieve this?
Especially in complex fields like medicine or law, consistent terminology requires not only an understanding of language, but also of context. AI systems may lack the necessary subject-specific knowledge.
Inconsistent use of terms can cause confusion and misinterpretation in documents. This is especially true when different synonyms are used for the same term without clarity.
Achieving consistent and error-free translation of terms requires a robust strategy involving both AI technology and human effort. Experts in the field should always quality assure the translation.
Consistent translations increase transparency and trust with recipients, which is crucial for credibility.
Example of insurance documents
AI can also help translate insurance documents and even contracts.
In the video, Diane talks about the word ‘shall’ – not the easiest word to translate from Danish to English…
When you need to use the word ‘shall’ in a contract – and the contract needs to be translated into English, we recommend paying attention to the following, a few examples:
Danish:
“The Contractor shall provide the specified services within 30 days from the effective date of the contract.”
“Shall” indicates a binding obligation.
Correct English translation:
“The supplier shall deliver the specified services within 30 days from the effective date of the contract.”
“Shall” retains the legal obligation.
Mistranslation:
“The supplier will deliver…”
“Will” can be interpreted as a future plan rather than a binding commitment, which can create doubt in a court case.
Other mistranslations:
“Should” implies a recommendation.
“May” means opportunity, not obligation.
To ensure the correct legal meaning, “shall” should be translated as “shall” or “must” in contracts.
Summary: Pitfalls of AI
The balance between AI and human expertise can be achieved by letting AI handle routine tasks while complex or critical translations are reviewed by professional translators. Combining the two approaches optimizes the translation process and ensures both speed and quality, strengthening your company’s communication and global presence.
