We are currently at a point in language and technology development where a collision is inevitable - some might even argue that it has already happened. We're just waiting for the dust to settle. Digitization, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and – going back even further – the introduction of smartphones, voice recognition, and the internet and social media; all of these technologies have contributed to the world we now live in.
Among all technologies, artificial intelligence is the most popular technology and is already used in every industry. Today, let's talk about the translation industry that is undergoing tremendous changes. Businesses and communications that are not limited to physical boundaries are now working to break down language barriers. While machine translation (MT) has been around for a long time, the current use of artificial intelligence has dramatically increased the availability of real-time, accessible translation to the public like never before. AI offers various benefits, including the ability to incorporate contextual and linguistic details with greater accuracy.
Whether you work in the translation industry and technology or not, this book could be an exciting read. Let's start with a basic question: what happens when two things (for example, language services and technology) collide? We get real-time translation technology.
Translation Industry Forecast
The development of smart technology and the penetration of translation has greatly promoted the expansion of language translation. In fact, the translation industry was worth $39.37 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $46.22 billion by 2028. In addition to these data, the introduction of technical translation engines and the move to machine translation is a real revolution in the field of translation. As a result, in 2019, machine translation engines have performed more translations than professional human translators worldwide.
What is real-time translation technology?
As the name implies, Real Time Translation Technology (RTT) refers to a technology-driven solution that can instantly translate any type of content from one language to another. You read that right, any type of content, because today, technology not only helps in translating text, it helps in translating text. You can do speech translation, object detection, translation, image translation and more. RTT can be used for both personal purposes and enterprise level to improve communication and bridge language gaps.
For enterprise purposes, translation providers offer API integrations in services covering internal processes and customer communications such as CMS management, customer support, and more.
Machine translation software solutions, which were developed to support human translators, are now smart enough to provide specific translations without much editing. The technology underpinning modern real-time translation software programs is the latest in neural machine translation (NMT). Machine learning algorithms and pattern recognition software recognize words and sounds, but neural networks and deep learning systems evaluate speech based on context and phrases. Afterwards, the data is encoded and translated. RTT tools with high processing power can access word databases extracted from millions of pages. The whole process now takes about 2 to 5 seconds and is 85% accurate.
The role of artificial intelligence in translation: how does it work?
Many technological developments, especially language translation, rely heavily on voice interaction. In this case, AI can provide instant translations in a variety of formats, including text, audio, graphics, and even street signs. AI can now manage large volumes of text or speech that need to be translated.
Based on human-generated neural networks, the AI translates entire phrases rather than individual words, taking into account the language's word relationships for more accurate translations. With Neural Machine Translation (NMT), AI learns from previously completed translations, choosing word usage, phrase structure, and purpose based on context. This approach is much more successful than any technique used before because it uses less memory and data to function properly. All translations are correlated, providing exceptional context and accuracy for large volumes of speech or text.
Behind the scenes, AI is powered by natural language processing, image recognition, predictive engines, and recommendations. Any translation, whether word or text, goes through the following stages;
Data Collection - From multiple places in the AI stack.
Data storage - fast-access big data storage, usually cloud technology.
Data processing and analysis involves machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, image recognition, and recommendation engines. Algorithms in the form of services are accessed through third-party APIs.
Data output and reporting - Depending on your needs, the output can be in different forms such as voice clone and voice translation, text form, etc.
How can technology (AI and NLP) help human translators?
Implementing AI in language translation can only benefit human translators, businesses, and anyone looking for faster, easier translation tools.
Continuous Improvement
AI-powered neural machine translation leverages previous translations or language assets, continuously learning and evolving based on human feedback. This means that the more you use the translation tool, the smarter it gets and the more accurate the results.
Specific Vocabulary for Different Needs
With the terminology database included in Advanced AI Editor Stack, terms can be processed more efficiently by arranging them with custom metadata. You can use metafields to import terms or create new fields to improve translation consistency. This advantage is crucial in technical translations and professional content.
Time and Cost Effective
If you don't need 100% accurate translation of large documents, machine translation is available. AI-driven translation improves and learns, and the process of machine translation post-editing becomes easier, reducing the cost and time required for human translation. As a result, organizations with limited resources can also deliver a tailored global experience.
Will artificial intelligence replace human translators?
Progress is unstoppable, and indeed, no one wants to go back to a time when information is inaccessible. One more question: Will AI replace humans in any industry, including translation? The shortest answer is no. "
No matter how smart and fast the AI is, technology has no empathy, which is something we're always looking for. Even with 99% accuracy, there is still 1% of human interaction to get the translated content just right. All we can do is use technology to our advantage and make life more comfortable.