What do you do if machine translation is taking over the translation industry?

The best we can do is to catch up with technological changes. Technology industry do not care if we agree or not with indiscriminate use: it won't stop. Machine translation is getting better and better. Just compare one text "Google translated" ten years ago with the results you get now. You will clearly see the evolution. And Google is not the best one we have available now. As linguists, there are lots of other opportunities for us in the Language industry, including prompt engineering, which is more a linguist than an engineer function. Try to understand how these new technologies work and learn deeply how to use them, how to include them in your workflow, interact with them. They are here to stay.

Specialize Wisely (and Deeply): Focus on mastering specific fields like law or medicine where human expertise is irreplaceable. Continuous Learning: Keep up with evolving technology and industry trends to stay ahead in the translation game. Diversify Skills: Expand beyond translation to offer services like editing and transcreation. Specialization ensures your expertise shines in niche areas. Continuous learning keeps you on top of new tools. Diversifying skills makes you invaluable in the evolving translation landscape.

I totally agree. Machine Translation should be seen as a tool rather than a retard or shutoff. It should help us handle huge tasks especially when multitasking is concerned. Besides... In my opinion, it will be impossible for machine Translation to replace human translation for a few reasons: 1. The emotional aspect of translation would be missing in machine Translation because only humans can actually convey the right emotion. 2. Cultural aspect is also important when translating or interpreting from language to another.

To begin with, I am confident that our craft will continue to thrive. However, if AI and MT become dominant in the translation industry, I would... Focus on areas where machine translation struggles, like legal documents, literary works, or technical manuals that require deep cultural understanding and specialized knowledge. Embrace MTPE - polish machine-translated texts to ensure they are accurate and read naturally. Provide localization to adapt content to the cultural nuances of specific markets, adding value beyond what automated translations can achieve.

Incorporating machine translation into your workflow doesn't mean abandoning your expertise; it means evolving with the times. Embrace the opportunity to refine your skills as a post-editor, focusing on adding human touch where machines fall short. By collaborating with technology, you can streamline your process and deliver high-quality translations more efficiently than ever before. Remember, adaptation is the key to thriving in a rapidly changing industry.

In addition to traditional fields, emerging sectors like e-commerce, gaming, and software localization offer ample opportunities for specialization. These industries demand translations that are not only accurate but also culturally resonant and user-friendly. By honing your skills in these areas, you can cater to clients seeking specialized expertise in navigating global markets and connecting with diverse audiences. Stay attuned to market trends and client needs to identify niche opportunities for growth.

Financial market also requires deep understanding. There are terminologies (specially for forex and crypto markets) which requires human specialization.

Exploring advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning can provide valuable insights into the future of translation technology. Keep an eye on emerging tools and platforms that integrate machine translation with human expertise, offering hybrid solutions that combine speed and accuracy. Investing in ongoing education and professional development ensures that you remain at the forefront of innovation, equipped to leverage new technologies effectively in your practice.

Skills stay sharp if you continuously stay in practice. In todays market, you have to spend more time on looking for work than finishing the task.

Engage with industry thought leaders and influencers on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to stay informed about emerging trends and discussions in the translation community. Participate in virtual events, webinars, and online workshops to expand your network and exchange ideas with peers from around the world. Actively seek out mentorship opportunities or informal meetups to cultivate meaningful connections and support networks that can provide guidance and encouragement throughout your career.

Building a network is essential for staying relevant in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. Engage with developers to understand their technologies and advocate for features that prioritize translation quality and user experience. Collaborate with fellow translators to exchange insights, best practices, and resources for integrating machine translation into your workflow effectively. Participate in industry events, online forums, and professional associations to expand your network, gain valuable contacts, and discover new opportunities for collaboration and growth. By networking effectively, you can position yourself at the forefront of innovation and establish yourself as a trusted authority in the evolving translation landscape.

Position yourself as a trusted advisor by staying informed about industry regulations, privacy standards, and best practices in machine translation usage. Offer tailored consultancy services to businesses seeking guidance on implementing translation technologies ethically and effectively. By demonstrating your expertise in navigating the complexities of machine translation, you can build long-term partnerships with clients who value your insights and recommendations.

MT took over the industry a LONG TIME ago, people. I am ranked in 7 languages and certified in 2 (still No. 3 in the world for Chinese to English last I checked) but I honestly can't believe how many translators are still clinging to the good old days, trying to convince themselves there is a future for human translators - even complaining to van der Leyen in the EU that translators' fees have to be "standardised" to avoid people (and MT) taking away their jobs. You are capable of SO MUCH MORE than translation! Personally, I made the transition to writing in 2018 - which is when most of the smaller agencies started to disappear - it was more lucrative and you even got to use your brain! Moral of the story: You CAN adapt! Limit reached

Explore interdisciplinary opportunities that leverage your language expertise in new and innovative ways. For example, consider branching out into content creation, transcreation, or multilingual SEO to complement your translation services. Embrace emerging technologies like voice translation or neural machine translation to expand your toolkit and stay ahead of the curve. By diversifying your skills and staying adaptable, you can future-proof your career and remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry landscape.

I will develop skills in a related area, namely editing.I had an experience of working as an English Editor at the "RIA Novosti" information agency in Moscow.

Accepting that AI and machine translation are here to stay is crucial, but we must ensure texts sound natural. AI often adheres too closely to the source language structure, making translations less readable. Although these tools speed up the process, human editing is usually necessary to achieve high-quality results. We should focus on delivering excellent translations and specialize in areas less affected by automation to preserve our critical role.

Since machine has already done most of the work, it's up to us as human editors to help the translation "gets there" and doesn't miss any cultural cues or elements. While this sounds easy, in practice it's not as simple in day-to-day work. You need to train your brain how to think how a machine think and look for points that are often missed or not a correct fit even though as a translation it might sounds right.