April 12, 2022
You might ask why you should pay someone to get a professional translation for you when there are so many computer programs and AI bots out there offering it for free. The simple answer is that you can’t get the same quality results with a computer program that you can with a professional human. Also, if they are going to put their time and skills to use to help you out, they deserve a decent fee for it. Here’s why you should always go for an expert human translation service for your important documents.
This sounds simplistic, but being able to speak and understand a language fluently is not the same as reading it. That level of familiarity with a language and the way it is used means translators have an immediate understanding of what is in front of them. This ensures that clients get quality work every time.
The important distinction here is that real humans appreciate that language isn’t black-and-white text on screen. Some nuances and variations make languages richer and specific to certain regions. If you asked someone in the South to write about the same experience as someone in the Eastern Seaboard, you’re going to get very different results. The dialect, grammar, spellings, and other idiosyncrasies make it look as though they are different languages. Neither is more correct than the other; they are just regionally specific. The same goes for any other language. Experienced translators will pick up on all that, but a computer won't.
This is a crucial part of linguistics and language learning. It isn’t enough to know what a word translates to regarding the characters used. If you can’t put that word in context or appreciate subtle variations, the meaning is completely lost. It's a bit like when you get AI to read text for videos or audiobooks. If it comes to a word with multiple meanings and pronunciations, it can’t figure out which is right because of a lack of context. A neat row of flowers in a garden turns into a row where they’re all having an argument. The whole meaning of the text changes.
Context isn’t an issue when dealing with a real human who’s heard the language spoken and read texts multiple times. They know how to get contextual cues from the subjects and descriptors in the sentence and will make sure the sentence makes sense in the context of the document.
Furthermore, a professional translation service also means you get access to specialists within specific fields. Not all translators focus on the same types of documents. Many specialise in medical documents. These can be crucial for anyone looking to get health insurance, sign up with a treatment facility, or publish important research in another language. Then there are those who work purely in the legal or immigration fields. The latter is highly sought after for those immigrating to new countries and in need of precise documentation to fulfil their claims.
Just because human translators are experienced and know a language inside out, that doesn't make them complacent. They will go to great lengths to make sure that their finished copy is error-free. They may run it past other experts to be sure. A computer doesn't have that level of quality control. It also doesn't care if it's correct or not. It's more concerned with being efficient.
Accuracy isn’t just about the context of the words and choosing the right translations. You want to work with skilled writers who appreciate other details in written text. This includes grammar and punctuation and the way that these aspects can alter a document. For example, you don’t want any rogue commas showing up in the wrong place and completely changing the meaning. There’s a perceived punctuation error in the Declaration of Independence, and people are still arguing over that, so it does matter.
So, this one isn't so much about the downsides of working with software over real people, but it is another reason to choose professional translation services. Earlier, we talked about the importance of context within a piece of written language. Well, there is also the context of the situation. When you run a piece of text through an AI bot or Google, that’s all it is. It's just code that needs to be deciphered and rewritten in line with the algorithm. In reality, that code is a highly important text that could get you your dream job, help you move to a new country, or change your life in other ways.
Professional translators appreciate the reasons why you need expert help and the consequences if you don’t have an accurate translation on time. They will work hard to make sure everything is correct, even calling in other experts if they have to, so you have no complaints at the end. You get to hand in your new copy in the right language to whatever agency or other authority needs it. They get paid. You can both move on with a sense of fulfilment.
Yes, this does mean that there is a much higher expense involved when working with real people compared to software. These are skilled linguists making a living and potentially changing people’s lives in the process. They earn every penny.
A final benefit here is that when you work with a real human translation service, you get the chance to build a relationship. You have someone you can contact to discuss important details and ideas. You can also hire them again if you have any similar translation work in the future. These relationships will help you achieve consistency in the accuracy and quality of the work. They may also open doors to new ventures and services.
Essentially, human translators will always do a better job than computers because they understand the documents and language used in a much deeper way. Your translator will appreciate the significance of any medical, legal, or immigration documentation and why you need it to be precise and delivered in a timely manner. They can offer a level of reassurance and support you don’t get from software.
Their attention to detail with the context and accuracy of the script also means fewer risks of problems arising later on. Those that need the translation should have all the information they need and you can progress with your work, applications, or whatever else you need to do. Paying for professional translations is a short-term expense for long-term gains. You can still ask Google what a few isolated words mean in a pressure-free environment, but leave it at that.
