The importance of human touch in localization

Article by Marshall, In-house KO-CN Linguist of Flitto Localization

Over the recent years, machine translation tools have improved tremendously; however, human review and proofreading are still a critical process in guaranteeing the quality of the final translation.

Here are some reasons why.

Linguistic and cultural differences

The source and target languages may have varying grammatical structures, syntax, idioms, and vocabularies. These differences can make it difficult for the translator to accurately convey the meaning of the original text in the target language. A human reviewer who’s familiar with the cultural context of the source language and fully understands the connotations and nuances of the source can then solve the issue accordingly and ensure that the translation is appropriate for the intended audience.

“二百五,” word that means both a number and an insult

For example, as shown in the picture below, “二百五” is the number two hundred and fifty (250), but native Chinese speakers would probably be more likely to associate the word with someone not so bright.

Technical jargons

If the source text contains technical or specialized terminology, the translator may need to be more familiar with the relevant jargon in the target language to avoid errors in translation.

When the source text is ambiguous, it is difficult for the translator to accurately interpret the meaning and convey it accordingly in the target language. An experienced human proofreader with a relevant background can then provide insights with his or her expertise.

The English word “press“ has multiple different meanings, which means it can be translated in several ways. (Image source: Unsplash)

Errors in source text

Errors can occur due to mistakes in typing, or when the translator has mistranslated the original text. This is where the human reviewer can step in to identify and correct mistranslations, incorrect grammar, incorrect word usage, typos, and other mistakes that a proofreading tool might miss.

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For instance:

In the example above, option 2 to 4 all have the same pronunciation as option 1, but only option 1 correctly means “hello.”

Style consistency and fluency

A human reviewer can ensure that the translated text reads naturally and flows smoothly, taking into account the nuances of the language and the intended message. This can greatly improve the overall quality of the translation and make it more effective in delivering the intended message. Having a second set of eyes review the translation can always ensure its accuracy and fluency.

e.g.) “What do you do for fun?”

你做什么为乐？ (Literal translation, grammatically correct but awkward.)

你的爱好是什么？ (Reads much more naturally.)

Addressing possible ambiguities

Meanwhile, it’s worth to note that providing context can also help translators accurately interpret the meaning of the source text. More context is always better, including information about the intended audience, the purpose of the text, and any cultural or technical references that may be relevant. If the source text is deemed ambiguous, additional context should be provided or clarify any ambiguities beforehand to help the translator accurately interpret the intended meaning.

Closing thoughts

Overall, machine translation tools have greatly improved, and they are surely helpful in translating simple or straightforward texts. Nonetheless, they may not always produce accurate results. This makes the human editing, or post-editing process, undoubtedly critical for machine-assisted translations. A human touch is essential for any translation projects in order to ensure the final result is accurate and free of errors — which is exactly what Flitto’s Localization is dedicated to provide.

Visit our page to learn more about Flitto Localization.