From Typewriters to AI: Can Translators Thrive in a Changing World?

The profession of translation has witnessed transformative changes over the decades. From the clatter of typewriters to the hum of AI-powered tools, the journey reflects not only technological advancements but also the resilience and adaptability of translators. Having worked as a Portuguese-to-English translator for some sixty years, I’ve seen firsthand how tools have shaped — and often challenged — our craft. Yet one question lingers: does AI enhance or diminish the role of the translator?

My career began in the mid-20th century as a Latin American correspondent for United Press International, where translating on the fly was a survival skill. During civil wars and political upheavals, I used typewriters and teletypes to churn out translations in high-pressure environments. These early tools were far from forgiving — errors meant time-consuming rewrites, and tight deadlines left no room for inefficiency.

Fast forward to 1988, when I undertook a marathon effort to draft an early English version of the 53 pages of the new Brazilian Constitution on a portable typewriter while hiding out in a beachfront cabin near Rio de Janeiro. The task consumed 14 days of 10-hour shifts. Today, AI tools accomplish the same task in the flick of an eye, leaving one to focus on refining tone, sector-specific language, and cultural accuracy. This transformation is undeniable, but it comes with a set of challenges and opportunities unique to our era.

AI has revolutionized the field, offering speed, consistency, and access to vast linguistic datasets. Translation tools powered by natural language processing (NLP) can process text at incredible speeds, handle complex terminology, and even be trained on industry-specific glossaries. For routine tasks, these capabilities are invaluable, freeing human translators to concentrate on high-value elements of their work.

However, AI has limitations. It often stumbles on cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and emotional undertones — areas where the translator’s human touch is indispensable. For example, in Portuguese, idiomatic expressions like "Pagar o pato" highlight AI's shortcomings. An AI translation might render this phrase as "To pay the duck," literally correct but missing its true meaning: "To take the blame" or "To be the scapegoat." Similarly, in the realm of corporate reports, a phrase like "pushing the envelope" might be rendered by AI as "expanding the envelope," which loses the idiomatic intent of encouraging bold or innovative actions. This underscores AI's inability to grasp idioms rooted in cultural history or context-sensitive meaning. For translators, demonstrating their ability to provide deeper cultural and emotional resonance is crucial to maintaining their value.

Despite fears of obsolescence, the role of human translators remains essential. Cultural sensitivity ensures that translations respect norms and avoid unintended offense, while skilled translators excel at interpreting ambiguous phrases and adapting tone to match a client’s brand voice. These human elements add value that AI cannot replicate—at least not yet.

Moreover, translators bring emotional resonance to their work, creating connections between texts and their audiences. Whether translating literature or corporate communications, the ability to convey subtle emotional undertones is a uniquely human strength. Translators are not just linguistic experts; we are cultural mediators and storytellers who bridge the gaps that machines cannot.

Integrating AI into translation workflows is not without hurdles. Accuracy issues persist, particularly with ambiguous or context-sensitive phrases. Human oversight remains vital to ensure that translations are accurate, nuanced, and culturally relevant. Transparency with clients about the use of AI is equally important, as is safeguarding sensitive data on secure platforms.

Economic pressures present another challenge. As AI tools reduce costs, some clients may undervalue the expertise required to refine AI-generated drafts. Translators must advocate for the worth of their human contributions by emphasizing the unique insights they bring to the craft.

To succeed in this evolving landscape, translators must embrace AI as an ally rather than a competitor. Customizing AI tools with industry-specific datasets can ensure that translations align with desired styles and terminologies. Integrating AI into computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools streamlines workflows and enhances consistency. Staying updated on AI developments and mastering new tools will empower translators to remain competitive in this rapidly changing field. Above all, translators should focus on their unique strengths: cultural insight, emotional depth, and creative problem-solving.

As AI technology advances, we can expect tools that offer greater contextual understanding, real-time translation for multimedia projects, and seamless integration with localization platforms. While these innovations will undoubtedly reshape the profession, they will also create new opportunities for translators to redefine excellence.

Far from being relegated to the role of mere copy editors, translators in the AI era are poised to redefine the craft itself. By blending the precision of advanced technology with the irreplaceable human touch of cultural insight and emotional resonance, translators can elevate their profession into an art form — one that bridges linguistic divides and forges profound, meaningful connections across cultures.

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Steve Yolen, a New Yorker, is an accomplished journalist and editor with over a decade of experience as a UPI correspondent and bureau manager in Latin America. He founded and served as executive editor of the Latin America Daily Post in the 1980s and has written and edited numerous special supplements for The Wall Street Journal focused on Latin American countries. In 1989, he established Dash Ltda., a translation bureau in Rio de Janeiro, specializing in corporate communications, which he continues to lead today.