By Katie Reed | October 24, 2024 | Blog marketing
Translation is a crucial factor in the success of global, in-person global conferences. With the rapid advancement of technology, it is tempting to ask: why not simply rely on machine translation instead of human translation? While technology certainly has its place as a support tool, it can’t replace the expertise, cultural knowledge and deep linguistic understanding that expert human translators provide.
In this blog, we explore why the human touch is crucial for conference translation, ensuring ideas are clearly communicated and networking opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of their native language.
Experienced human translators do more than just convert words from one language to another – they intuitively grasp the cultural nuances and linguistic subtleties that shape the meaning of those words. This cultural understanding enables them to translate not only the tone and humour of the original content but also any specific references to local customs, making the content relevant and accessible to an international audience. This often includes adapting the translations to reflect not only the actual words, but also the intent behind them.
For example, humour, idiomatic expressions or culturally-specific references may be completely misunderstood by machine translation tools. Even the most advanced algorithms often fail to navigate these key elements, leading to translations that feel flat or, worse, miscommunicate the speaker’s intent.
To the untrained eye, language may appear to be just a system of words. However, to a specialist human translator, it’s a rich tapestry of emotions, subtext and deeper meanings. This is especially critical in conference settings, where content can oftentimes be technical, industry-specific or complex. Human translators are adept at navigating these complexities, ensuring that the intended message is communicated with accuracy and clarity.
Machine translation, by contrast, relies heavily on pattern recognition. While this works for simple translations, it falls short when faced with intricate content that requires a nuanced understanding of the subject matter. Subtle shifts in meaning or context can easily be lost when the translation is based on algorithms rather than insight.
Many human translators specialise in specific industries or sectors, bringing with them in-depth knowledge of the terminology, jargon and technical language used in those fields. This specialist expertise is invaluable for conference translation, where materials are often packed with industry-specific terms that need to be communicated precisely to avoid confusion.
Machine translation tools, even the most sophisticated, often lack this level of industry-specific understanding. They may struggle with jargon, acronyms or terms that have particular meanings in certain contexts. For conferences where technical accuracy is crucial, relying on machine translation could result in misinterpretations that can confuse or alienate attendees.
When it comes to conference translation, confidentiality is usually paramount. Human translators adhere to strict professional ethics and sign confidentiality agreements to ensure that any sensitive information stays secure. Machine translation systems, particularly those systems using cloud-based services, may pose potential risks to data security. Data from translations could be stored or shared without the user’s knowledge, presenting privacy and data protection risks.
Adding the human touch to your conference translation does more than just bridge the language gap, it also bridges cultural gaps as well. The adaptability, cultural awareness and emotional intelligence that human translators bring create a more engaging and inclusive experience for both conference organisers and attendees. These elements go beyond the capability of machines, ensuring that the human connection is maintained throughout the event experience.
At The Language Factory (TLF), we combine over 30 years of specialist translation experience with the expertise of more than 1,000 mother-tongue translators, all supported by a team of dedicated Project Managers. Our goal is to deliver top-quality conference translation services that ensure your message is clear, culturally appropriate and impactful. Talk to the TLF team to find out how we can help you with your next international business event or conference.
Get insights, information and offers from The Language Factory.