The Need For Synergy Between Translation, eLearning, And AI
The progression of AI-powered translation technologies has created a tidal wave in many industries. Shifting from one language to another has never been easier. The departure from traditional methods, such as translating from a source language to a target language using available media, like dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), or doing research on a one-word-at-a-time basis, has cleared the way for new-age technologies in the translation process. Artificial Intelligence is steadily moving into the field with promises of completely eradicating language barriers with the press of a button. But how does that affect human translation practices, and how do these technologies impact fields such as eLearning? Will these three fields complement or destroy one another?
The Impact On Human Translation: Is It A Thing Of The Past?
At this moment, the answer is no. Professional translators continue to provide quality work in various disciplines and fields, using a combination of traditional translation techniques and CAT tools. However, incorporating computer-assisted translation tools into the profession has created an environment that encourages the advancement of machine translation technologies and their gradual takeover. This is not the result of passivity among human translators. As the demand for speed, efficiency, and productivity grows in every industry, so will the means for getting the needed results. The translation field is no exception.
It is essential to sort through these practices' potential benefits and dangers—as people tend to do whenever they encounter the newest Artificial Intelligence breakthrough. Recognizing translators' active contribution is the initial step toward protecting the craft itself. Some subject areas are better suited for human-only translation, just as there are fields ideal for using machine-powered tools. In the area of eLearning, translation can effectively accommodate both. Therefore, creating an environment of synergy between eLearning, translation, and AI is feasible, but you must first know what happens when these different worlds come together.
When eLearning, Artificial Intelligence, And Translation Collide
AI-powered apps utilize a form of Machine Learning technology, having built on existing infrastructure that first brought us machine translation. In the past few years, we've seen a massive outbreak of AI-powered tools that simplify the process of content creation, whether that involves text, audio, or visual content. Generating original content or building and improving existing content is easier than ever. That in itself is a massive aid to Instructional Designers and other eLearning professionals. However, they still need their work to have a personalized but global reach. Let's go through the areas where eLearning, AI, and translation successfully merge.
Rapid Content Creation
Through the use of AI-powered technologies, entire content strategies can be mass-produced within a few minutes. Content assets generated through AI-assisted technologies can drastically reduce Instructional Design development time by providing learning curricula in an instant. Outlining and setting specific learning objectives during your course design is a prerequisite when implementing AI technologies, which further optimizes the process. Moreover, rapid content creation can also free up time for more creative projects or additional reviewing.
Instant Course Translation
Courses are sometimes meant to be designed for and delivered to a wider audience. AI-powered translation is helpful in handling large volumes of human or machine-generated content and translating what's needed for the intended market. Instant course translation is a prime example of the synergy that can be formed between the AI, eLearning, and translation fields. eLearning programs can reach a far wider audience through AI-powered translation. That being said, AI translation differs from traditional machine translation, which translates text word-for-word, as AI can detect subtle differences in meaning, similar to how a human translator can.
Localization
Much like instantly translating course content, the relationship between AI, eLearning, and translation can aid in course content localization. If an eLearning course is intended for international delivery, chances are, its instructional materials will need to be tailored toward specific cultural contexts. During the localization process, one should consider that any and all accompanying material will need to be reviewed and adapted according to the target culture. For this to happen, you'll probably have to use a combination of different technologies, and that's where AI-augmented tools step in. Employing Artificial Intelligence while translating an eLearning course helps you create culture-specific content or localize existing content based on the target audience.
How To Combine AI-Powered Tech And Human Translation
To achieve a balance, we should look at how eLearning, AI, and translation complement one another. There are several ways that these three fields can coexist, such as:
1. Quality Assurance
When eLearning, translation, and Artificial Intelligence are combined to complete a project, the end result should be carefully assessed and reviewed. Quality assurance checks are necessary for any project delivery. However, when it comes to new-age technologies, they can sometimes be a little "unstable." Human translators and AI should work together to supplement one another's work. That means that whenever a project's foundation is set by AI-powered tools, human professionals should inspect its quality and make any necessary adjustments needed to deliver the best result. Similarly, when human translators undertake a task in a project, AI can act as a QA checker.
2. Time-Sensitive Delivery
Through AI-assisted software, translators can deliver their work more quickly, further optimizing their translation processes. Combining AI with translation can lead to higher productivity rates, as a single professional may be able to handle double the amount of work. AI assistance can also monitor the project's workflow to select and undertake focus areas that a human may struggle with.
3. Cultural Appreciation
As mentioned above, a project may require reaching a wider audience or market. Good localization practices will ensure that culture-specific content is translated to reach the other culture with cultural sensitivity and awareness in mind. To avoid serious malpractice, like cultural appropriation, localization professionals, translators, and eLearning experts should work with Artificial Intelligence to review the final result jointly.
Conclusion
As AI expands in reach across fields, the need for optimized human-powered practices becomes even more crucial. We've all heard that, at some point, machines will replace most of the human workforce. But this process won't happen overnight, if it happens at all. AI technologies have a long way to go before being perfected, let alone universally accepted. So who will take the reigns until then? Creating synergy between AI, translation, and eLearning can make all the difference—by combining these forces, you ensure they don't destroy one another.
In addition, AI capabilities make it possible for Artificial Intelligence to decide which translation projects should be delegated to human professionals and which tasks AI can do by itself. Usually, fields that deal with complex concepts are better left to human translators. Regardless of AI advancement, these technologies still find it challenging to emulate the intricate thought processes of a person. So, if you are looking for a translation professional, look no further than our eLearning Translation Providers Directory.
