Why can’t I rely on machine translated English?

As a non-native English speaker, it can be incredibly tempting to rely on machine translated English when communicating with others. After all, machines are supposed to be smart and accurate, right? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While machine translation tools like Google Translate have come a long way in recent years, there are still plenty of reasons why you can’t rely on them for accurate translations. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key reasons why machine translated English falls short.

Reason #1: Contextual Translation is Necessary

One of the biggest issues with machine translated English is the lack of contextual understanding. As humans, we rely heavily on context when communicating with one another. We use tone, body language, and social cues to infer meaning and nuance from words. Machine translations, on the other hand, lack this contextual knowledge. For example, a machine translation may be able to accurately translate the meaning of an individual word or phrase, but may completely miss the connotation or intended meaning behind it.

Reason #2: Literal Translation Leads to Errors

Another issue with machine translated English is the tendency for literal translations to lead to errors. When translating from one language to another, it’s not always possible to do a direct word-for-word translation. Languages have their own unique grammar structures and idiomatic expressions that do not always have a direct equivalent in other languages. When machines do a literal translation, it can result in confusing or nonsensical output.

Reason #3: Machines Can’t Account for Cultural Differences

Finally, machine translated English falls short because it can’t account for cultural differences. Language is not a static entity. It evolves alongside a culture and reflects its unique customs and values. As a result, a word or phrase that is common and acceptable in one culture may be taboo or offensive in another. Because machines lack cultural knowledge, they can’t accurately account for these differences in context. This can lead to embarrassing or even damaging misunderstandings when communicating with others.

In conclusion, machine translated English may seem like a convenient solution to overcome language barriers, but it falls short in numerous ways. Contextual understanding, idiomatic expressions, cultural differences, and nuance are just some of the key areas where machines struggle. To ensure accurate and effective communication, it’s important to seek out human translation services that have the necessary contextual, cultural, and linguistic expertise to provide accurate translations.