Pros And Cons Of Machine Translation
In the old days, when we did not understand what a word means in another language, we either used a dictionary or had someone interpret it for us. However, using a dictionary to know what a foreign word or phrase means can be time consuming and frustrating, since some words have several different meanings. Today we have come a long way to just using a dictionary. These days, documents or material in other languages can easily be translated by a machine or by a company. Businesses have a greater need for this now, especially if they want to break into the international market, but the big decision is choosing how documents will be translated. Both, a human and a machine, have their own pros and cons. However, this article will focus more on a machine translation.
What is a translation machine?
This century has undoubtedly created a host of new technology and devices that have made lives easier and more connected. One such device that has made it easier to connect to countless people from other countries is a machine translator. Also known as Computer Aided Translation, this device uses software that has been designed specifically for changing texts and verbal messages from one language to another. This type of technology, as well as companies offering translation services, has become vital in the drive to globalization.
Pros of Machine Translation
* It saves time. These days, time is a very precious commodity and a machine translation ensures that a company does not waste precious manpower and hours on going over dictionaries just to convert a simple passage. Now, there is a number of translation software that can do the job quickly and correctly.
* Translation machines are relatively affordable. Companies might initially think that a translation machine is not a good investment, but the returns are worth it in the long run. Translation companies usually charge per page and, depending on how long or complicated the document is, it can get pretty expensive.
* Businesses do not need to worry about confidentiality when using a translation machine. Entrusting sensitive data or information to a translator can be risky and the management would have to invest additional resources to ensure that they are protected. This type of hassle would never happen if a machine is used.
* Translation machines can translate any document to any language, whereas a professional is limited to what language he or she specializes in.
Cons of Machine Translation
* Some translated information might be inaccurate or confusing. The sad truth is that some machine translated documents would not be 100% accurate. A machine translates a document word for word, without really understanding the information or data being processed. This means that while the gist of the document is there, some details or sentences might have to be manually corrected before the document makes sense.
* Since it is a machine, it follows a system of rules. Context and nuances of the language cannot be grasped by a translation machine.
Whether a business would go for a translation machine or a translation service agency, companies would still need to weigh the pros and cons of both options before choosing which would be a best fit for their translation needs.