What Humans bring to language that Google Cannot
We live in a global age where the world has become considerably smaller as technology drives our lives. While the world has become smaller and technology better a few things, especially when it comes to communication and instruction. If you are reading this there is a very good chance you have a good grasp of the English language or have hit the “translate” button on Google. But the fact is, as much as we perceive English as the global language in many ways it is not and that is the one thing that still makes the world the large place it really is.
Making things make sense
While technology such as Google has easy translation tools many people will confirm that the translation is far from perfect. French is a great example and it is, for some strange reason, a language many of us would love to speak. The French are proud of their language and a professional French translator is vital when translating from one language into French or French into any other language. For things to make sense, keeping the essence of language intact and ensuring the real meaning is conveyed is essential.
Where Google Translate is not enough
For a simple or personal translation, Google’s translation tool is suitable for most people. However, when understanding is essential a proper translation undertaken by a human, not a machine, puts Google in the shade. Legal documentation, movie scripts, published media, and even instruction manuals need a proper translation. The Chinese have a case in point where Chinglish has become a language all its own and with some cheap products the translations have become well known global jokes. It is clear there are extremes of translation.
Proper understanding
There is still a place where the proper language is king. People envy those who can speak two or more languages and anywhere you go these are in the minority. Professionals have come to appreciate that electronic, digital or online translations are just not enough and for this reason, professional translators are in growing demand. People are employed because they have a skill and speak another language, the personal aspect of being able to communicate and converse naturally is still vital to create a proper understanding.
Language is more than words
The key to translation and communication is that it is more just words. In the written or spoken words, there are colloquialism and idioms that go beyond the word for word translation that Google and other platforms can provide. It is about intelligence rather than knowledge. Furthermore, body language and vocal tone (even in writing) are vital, formal and informal language are merged in society today and it is this balance that only a native or trained speaker can find. As much as we can use technology for convenience, real humans add the polish to language that makes it the beautiful form of communication that it is. To appreciate life more, maybe we should try harder to speak another language and many arguments through simple misunderstanding could be avoided.
Author: Matthew Perry
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