AI translations

How to Use AI Translations Wisely

AI translations can deliver more reliable results when tools such as DeepL and ChatGPT are used correctly. They often look convincing at first glance, but fluent wording does not necessarily guarantee accuracy, appropriate terminology or the right tone. The better the input and the more rigorous the human review, the more useful the output becomes.

Trust in artificial intelligence is starting to crumble. According to a European Broadcasting Union study on the news integrity of AI, one in three answers given by AI is incorrect.

AI fans are quick to point out that – at least some – of the faulty output is owed to a kind of user error: To get a correct answer, it is crucial to ask the right questions.

Prompting also has a considerable impact on AI translation. The free version of DeepL does not give the user the option to adjust the prompt – the DeepL user interface has already set it all. Users of the paid version of the AI translator can choose the level of formality and style – but are there any occasional users out there that even know this?

Just like the news information delivered by ChatGPT, an AI translation will sound convincing. On closer inspection, the cracks start to appear, though.

Without denying the immense opportunities of AI, there is one thing to keep in mind: AI is not a linguist, it’s a tool.
And even a sophisticated tool cannot reach its full potential without the knowledge required to use and evaluate it properly.

Clarify the Purpose of the AI Translation

First of all, when tasked with a translation, you should find out what it’s for.
Does someone just want to get the gist of the text? Is the text going to be published or used in a professional setting? If the answer is yes, a review by a subject matter expert and a linguist is crucial.

Choose the Right Style for AI Translations

AI translations are usually grammatically correct, but they often miss the right tone.
A text that sounds polite in German may sound aloof in English.
Depending on the purpose, it’s important to decide whether you need a literal translation or a transcreation.

Define proper names and technical terms

With AI, proper names, acronyms and technical terms may either not be translated when they should, or be translated when they shouldn’t.
Experts will provide the AI with a list of terms and their correct translation – but even then, the results still need to be checked.

Provide Sufficient Context for the AI Translation

AI is based on statistics rather than meaning. Without context, it will simply give the most probable solution.
The prompt should therefore contain information about the text type or the situation, such as:
“This is a paragraph from a contract under UK law.”
“This is an emotional letter.”
A little context can go a long way at improving translation output quality.

Consider cultural frameworks

Words don’t automatically have one particular meaning. Idioms, irony or humour often can’t be translated word for word.
Since a good translation conveys meaning rather than words,
any text intended for publication should be reviewed by a qualified person to ensure that it works in the target culture and uses the right register.

Human post-editing of AI Translations

AI does not read between the lines, it doesn’t emote or understand cultural nuance.
This is why a review by a native speaker and/or subject matter expert is crucial.
In summary: AI can save time, but cannot replace linguistic skill and expert knowledge.

Protect Confidential and Personal Data

Free translation tools and AI engines usually use your input for further training.
This is why, confidential or personal information should never be entered.
For sensitive content, such as legal documents or internal information, only offline or on-premise customised engines are safe.

Stay on your toes

An AI translation may sound fluent, but it could still contain errors.
If you’re unsure, you could try getting the translation translated back into the original language and comparing the two versions.

Check for copy and usage rights

AI tools have different policies on how they use texts. Some save content and use it for training the engine.
So think twice before entering sensitive or creative documents or text protected by copyright.

Check AI translations for consistency

Using different words for the same thing can cause great confusion. If you use ‘user ID’ and ‘username’ for the same thing, people won’t know what to enter. AI tends to use synonyms even when consistent terminology is crucial.

AI is nothing more than a tool

AI can take routine tasks off your hands, but it cannot replace the human understanding of language, context, culture and effect.
Whenever a text matters, AI is a tool, but not a replacement for professional linguists.
AI translation is effective and efficient – but like with any other tool, the results depend on the user’s skill. In this case on the ability to think critically.
For translations based on human intelligence, contact our team today.