AI Translation: A quick overview AI translation is transforming the language industry by offering faster, more accessible solutions. However, it is important to understand how AI tools work in order to use them effectively. You’ve probably used Google Translate, DeepL, or ChatGPT to understand or translate a sentence, document, website. While these tools are convenient, they don’t always deliver accurate or reliable results, especially for more complex or professional content. In this blog post, we examine how AI translation works, its strengths and weaknesses, and why human translators continue to play a key role in ensuring quality, accuracy and cultural relevance. How AI translation works and why it matters AI translation tools use machine learning and neural networks to generate translations based on massive amounts of multilingual data. These systems recognize patterns in language and suggest likely translations based on context. Modern tools go beyond word-for-word translation. They analyze sentence structure and grammar to produce text that sounds more natural. However, AI doesn’t understand tone, culture or nuance, so it’s essential to use it carefully. For example, HSBC’s global slogan “Assume Nothing” was once automatically translated as “Do Nothing” in some markets, completely altering the intended message and forcing a costly rebranding campaign.Similarly, American Airlines promoted its luxury leather seats with the phrase “Fly in Leather,” which, when introduced in Spanish-speaking markets, was interpreted as “Fly Naked.” This caused confusion and forced the airline to withdraw the campaign, which is now considered a classic example of why professional translation and cultural awareness are important in global marketing. The strengths of AI translation in today’s industry AI translation offers clear...
Discover what accessibility means in the field of translation You may have heard the word “accessibility” before, but without fully understanding what it means, particularly in the context of translation. If you are curious and want to gain a better understanding of this concept, read on! What accessibility means: a brief definition To fully understand what we mean by “accessibility” it is important to distinguish between the word and the concept. According to the Cambridge Dictionary online, accessibility simply means “the quality of being easy to understand or enjoy”. However, as a concept, accessibility is defined as “the quality of being able to be entered or used by everyone, including people who have a disability”. The key word here is “disability”. Making a place, product or piece of information accessible means that everyone can access it, regardless of any disabilities they may have. Concrete examples If, after reading this first definition, you still don’t fully understand the concept of accessibility, don’t worry! Here are some examples of existing accessibility services: Audio description for the blind and visually impaired. A voice describes everything happening on the screen, enabling people to enjoy the action. This service also exists in certain museums to describe works of art. Subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing and/or closed captions. All sounds and dialogues are transcribed into subtitles. This service is also available in theatres and for some live events on television, where it is called live subtitling, ensuring real-time accessibility. Sign Language to help deaf people communicate in their everyday lives. It is also used for events on television, such as the news or short political addresses. Easy Languages for...
The perception of video captioning on social media If you’re scrolling through your phone and watching reels without sound, you can still follow along because most creators include captions. Audio is rarely essential for audiovisual content. Nowadays, every video on Instagram, TikTok, or even on YouTube reels has captions incorporated. Captions can be translated using the same automatic transcription and translation that we see on YouTube videos. But translations or transcriptions are not always accurate! This can happen if the video lacks clear audio. Even when the audio quality is good, the transcription may struggle to match the sentence structure, so humour may be lost in the literal translation. However, users can make small manual adjustments if needed. Cross-cultural communication at hand Captions can help bridge language barriers, allowing non-native speakers to understand sociological discussions and research findings. A great expert on media communication, Richard Grusin affirmed that media technologies construct and mediate experiences, leading to a new reconfiguration of how we understand certain concepts. Read The Future of Translation: Bridging Tradition and Innovation to learn how technology is leading to changes in the translation industry. Many applications offer the possibility of adding captions to videos (CAPCUT or iMovie for iOS) instantly, even in real time while the speaker is speaking. The creator will spend more time thinking about what to say rather than editing the video because these applications simplify many of the processes. This is a more efficient way of working because you only need to fine-tune the video script that has already been translated. Adding captions to reels as a means of accessibility and awareness Why add...
As the holiday bells chime and snowflakes dance, we at LingoStar Language Services are excited to unwrap our linguistic adventures from our translation projects 2024! Celebrating a Year of Global Communication in Translation Projects 2024 As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, we’re not just exchanging gifts. We’re sharing moments of joy, connection, and linguistic magic. If we could sum up our language projects in one word, it would be “share” – celebrating by connecting cultures, bridging languages, and spreading joy across continents. Every year brings its own tapestry of experiences, and 2024 is no exception. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the milestones we’ve reached and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. What Translation Projects 2024 Lit Up Our Year? In our translation projects 2024, LingoStar transformed language barriers into global opportunities: Translated documents across 45 languages Translated English to French (Canadian), Spanish (Latin American) and Chinese as the most requested language pairs Simultaneous work on 25 languages in single projects Translated over 150,000 words Specialized translation projects including: French Canadian e-learning voiceover recordings Ethical hotline message translations in major European, Asian, and Indian languages Complex medical record transcriptions and translations in Hindi and Punjabi Wrapping Up Our Translation Projects 2024 Journey This year has been a wonderful journey of collaboration, learning, and connecting with amazing linguists and clients worldwide. We’ve worked with trusted translators, welcomed new linguistic talent, and continued to expand our global communications horizons. 🎁 LingoStar Video: Your Global Communication Superpower Need some translation magic? Since 2005, we’ve been transforming language barriers into business opportunities for Canadian companies. Our...
Interpreting services for all your needs Interpreting services are needed in various social situations to facilitate effective communication between different parties who do not share the same language. Some of the most common interpreting modes are consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, whispered interpreting, also known as chuchotage, and sight translation. In this article, we introduce you to the main mode of interpreting for which we offer interpreting services: consecutive interpreting. What is consecutive interpreting? Unlike simultaneous interpreting, where the interpreter interprets the speaker’s words into the audience’s language within a few seconds, consecutive interpreting takes place after the speaker has finished speaking. While the speaker is speaking, the interpreter takes notes in order to produce an accurate summary of the speech in the other language. Simultaneous interpreting is best suited for meetings where there is one keynote speaker, while consecutive interpreting is more suitable for meetings with several speakers where there will be back-and-forth communication. At LingoStar, we have extensive experience in interpreting projects, especially consecutive interpreting. We regularly work with professional consecutive interpreters on projects in a variety of fields, usually public or social services, including business meetings, legal proceedings, and medical appointments. What to look for in a consecutive interpreter What does it take to become a consecutive interpreter? Can anyone do it, or does it require special training and skills? A professional interpreter needs to practise a number of skills on a regular basis in order to deliver a coherent and structured speech that conveys the same information as the original speech, with the same tone, register, and intonation. Every consecutive interpreter must be proficient in note-taking....
What will the future of translation look like? In the dynamic landscape of technological innovation, the translation industry stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. In the midst of rapid technological evolution, the translation industry is grappling with the challenges and opportunities of 2024. As the year unfolds with a wave of cutting-edge advances, questions are being asked about the relevance of traditional translation agencies. But rather than fading into the background, these agencies are proving resilient and adaptable, embracing and expanding their role in the face of new technologies. This blog post explores how translation agencies are not only holding their own but are essential to harnessing the full potential of technological breakthroughs in language translation. What key role will these agencies play in navigating the future of translation? The human touch in AI-powered future of translation While AI-powered translation models have made remarkable progress, they still lack the nuanced understanding and cultural sensitivity that human translators bring to the table. As a result, translation agencies are integrating AI into their workflows to improve efficiency while at the same time recognizing the irreplaceable value of human expertise in preserving the nuances of language and culture. By seamlessly combining the speed of AI with the innate human touch, translation agencies offer a unique and comprehensive approach that ensures accuracy, context and cultural relevance in every translation project. Complex project management and quality assurance determine the future of translation The scope of translation often goes beyond simple language conversion, especially in industries with complex technical terminology or specialized content. As a result, translation agencies play a critical role in...
