Translation projects can range from converting a few lines of text, or a single page into one language to localizing a company’s complete operating procedures and public presence into a number of languages to keep up with expansion.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution that covers every possible scenario, so your Language Service Provider (LSP) needs to have a cost-effective solution for each of your linguistic needs.
More often than not, in one form or another, this is going to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Machine Translation (MT). AI does the heavy lifting and to make sure the translation is accurate the human touch is added in the form of post-editing. Together, this is known as Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE).
In this article, we’ll look at the various forms of MTPE and how, in the right hands, it can be the answer to your translation requirements.
MT uses software to analyze the input text and creates a translation based on the rules, dictionaries and term bases that have been created for your business. It stores information from previous translations and uses that knowledge to give you consistency in all your future translations.
Professional linguists then do the post-editing to ensure the accuracy of the translation, taking into account things like tone of voice, coherency, and terminology. The aim is to create consistency in the end text every time.
There are different levels of post-editing. Typically, the process falls into two categories:
Whether you need LPE or FPE will depend on what’s being translated (is it public-facing or just material to be archived and rarely seen?), your timescales, and your budget.
Obviously, FPE takes longer and costs more, but if there are legal or brand implications to the translations you want to make sure they are 100% accurate.
There are a number of reasons why MTPE makes sense when you’re streamlining your translation process. They tend to be based on these three high-level benefits:
The AI-powered MT is learning all the time. It’s drawing on your glossary, term base, and translation rules to provide a consistent output. The post-editing, the human touch, rounds out the Quality Assurance (QA) process.
This is the final pass which uses human logic and understanding to catch anything that may have been missed by the translation software. The level of post-editing, LPE or FPE, will determine the final quality of the translation in line with your requirements.
So, where’s MTPE going? Well, with AI leading the way, it’s continuing to move away from just word-for-word translations and more towards contextual translations that require less post-editing.
The advances in MT technology mean more language subtleties can be addressed before the post-editing stage allowing human linguists to focus more on cultural nuances, dialects, and other factors that can make or break localization efforts.
So, MTPE is faster, more cost-effective, still involves the human touch to ensure accuracy and allows you to scale up your business and enter new markets rapidly.
One way or another, it’s going to make your life easier on your translation journey.
If you’ve got the right LSP, they’ll walk you through the process and know exactly how much post-editing is needed every step of the way.
If you're considering Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) for your projects, we're here to discuss how this innovative approach can meet your specific requirements.
Consultations are free and come with no obligation.
At LinguaLinx, we ensure your message is accurately conveyed, no matter the language. With ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 certifications, over twenty years of professional translation experience, and a proven track record with organizations worldwide, you can trust us to deliver precise, culturally sensitive translations every time.