translation services

AI translation or machine translation: what’s the difference?

1.11.2024 by Delingua

While AI translation represents a significant leap forward in the field of machine translation, it shares common ground with its predecessors. At its core, both AI translation and traditional machine translation methods aim to facilitate cross-linguistic communication by automatically converting text from one language to another.

However, what distinguishes AI translation is its utilization of advanced neural networks and deep learning algorithms, enabling it to surpass the limitations of earlier approaches. This article explores the evolution of machine translation, highlighting how AI translation builds upon and enhances the foundations laid by its predecessors to redefine the way we break down language barriers in the modern world.

AI translation vs machine translation

AI translation and machine translation are terms that are often used interchangeably in discussions about automated language translation technologies. However, there are nuanced differences between the two, primarily in terms of the technology and methodologies they employ. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for appreciating the advancements in the field of language translation and the capabilities of current technologies.

Machine translation (MT)

Machine Translation refers to the use of software to translate text or speech from one language to another without human intervention. Historically, MT has evolved through several stages, each marked by different approaches and technologies:

Rule-based machine translation (RBMT)

This approach relies on a comprehensive set of linguistic rules and bilingual dictionaries. It translates by analysing the source text based on these rules and then applying the corresponding rules in the target language. While RBMT can be highly accurate for languages with a limited scope and well-defined rules, it struggles with the complexity and variability of natural language.

Statistical machine translation (SMT)

SMT models translations based on the analysis of large amounts of bilingual text data. It uses statistical methods to predict the likelihood of certain words or phrases being a correct translation. SMT marked a significant improvement over RBMT, offering more flexibility and better handling of languages with less rigid structure. However, it still faced challenges with context, idioms, and linguistic nuances.

AI translation

AI Translation is an advanced translation technology. It incorporates artificial intelligence, especially deep learning, and neural networks, to model the entire process of translation in a way that mimics human brain functions.

Here are the key features that distinguish AI translation:

Contextual understanding

Unlike its predecessors, AI translation can consider the entire context of a sentence or paragraph, rather than translating piece by piece. This holistic approach allows for more accurate and natural translations, especially in complex or ambiguous situations.

Continuous learning capabilities

AI systems are designed to learn and improve over time. By analysing vast datasets and learning from corrections, AI translation models continually refine their understanding of languages, idioms, and cultural nuances. This self-improvement aspect is a hallmark of AI technology.

Adaptability

AI translation models can be adapted and specialized for different domains (e.g., legal, medical, technical) much more effectively than traditional MT systems. They can learn the specific vocabulary and stylistic preferences of a field, leading to higher quality translations in specialized areas.

AI translation is machine translation evolved

While machine translation laid the groundwork for automated language translation, AI translation has significantly advanced the field. The key differences lie in AI translation’s ability to understand and translate text in context, learn from interactions, and improve over time. These capabilities make AI translation a more dynamic, accurate, and effective tool for overcoming language barriers, especially in professional and specialized setting.

This article was originally published by LanguageWire Company (Verity Hartley).

New tasks for Delingua staff

22.10.2024 by Delingua

Engage your global audience with AI-powered subtitling solutions

21.10.2024 by Delingua

In today’s digital-first world, video content is a necessity. It’s one of the most powerful tools for businesses to stay competitive and connect with global audiences. But to truly maximise reach and engagement, it must be accessible to everyone, everywhere.

That’s where LanguageWire’s unique value proposition comes in: AI-powered, human-refined subtitling solutions that blend together the best of two worlds. They seamlessly localise video content across multiple languages and diverse audiences, whilst maintaining accuracy, quality and brand consistency.

Our Smart Editor offers an innovative approach to subtitling. It simplifies complex video localisation workflows for global enterprises and allows businesses to scale their content effortlessly across regions. We ensure that the video content reaches a broader audience and engages them meaningfully.

Here’s how our approach sets us apart — and how it can transform the way you think about video localisation.

Simplifying complex subtitling workflows

One of the biggest challenges for global enterprises is managing the complexity of localising video content for multiple markets. 

Between handling different languages, adhering to brand guidelines and business terminology, and ensuring consistency across regions, localisation can feel like a daunting task. That’s where our end-to-end subtitling solutions come in. 

We take a hands-on approach here. Customers can simply upload their videos to our platform, leaving the heavy lifting to us. From the moment a video is submitted, our process kicks into high gear, combining the best of AI and human expertise to generate high-quality, contextually accurate subtitles.

With Smart Editor in subtitling mode, we create captions ensuring cultural nuances, technical terminology and brand voice are respected. 

The best part? Our customers can stay hands-off for most of the process but are invited to collaborate when it matters most – during validation and styling.

A customer-first collaboration experience

What makes LanguageWire’s subtitling so special is its interactive validation and styling phase.

Once AI and human linguists create the captions, customers can review the subtitles in our Smart Editor for accuracy, consistency and brand alignment. This is a simple and powerful step. And it’s designed to keep your team in full control without the complexities of managing the full process.

The Smart Editor presents subtitles intuitively, allowing for quick edits such as adjusting text, merging or splitting segments or synchronising timestamps – all with just a few clicks. Segment-by-segment synchronisation ensures that reviewing each caption feels seamless and efficient.

Styling is another powerful feature that allows customers to customise subtitles effortlessly. They can adjust font size and type, background color, text alignment, and screen position, ensuring that subtitles look professional and align with their visual identity.

This level of customisation can be applied to individual segments or across the entire video, giving customers the flexibility to create tailored subtitles that meet their specific needs.

Consistent, on-brand messaging

We understand that localisation is not just about translation. It’s about capturing your brand voice in a way that resonates with audiences, no matter the language.

Our Smart Editor seamlessly integrates with your existing linguistic assets, like translation memories and termbases. This integration ensures that your subtitles use the correct terminology and tone throughout the video, providing a consistent experience for your global audience.

Whether you’re producing marketing videos, e-learning materials, technical content, or internal communications, your subtitles will align with your brand’s voice and technical specifications. 

The full end-to-end process

Our customers love that we handle the entire subtitling workflow, from initial submission to final burn-in of the subtitles. After reviewing and approving the final product, we then deliver the highest quality content.

We ensure a smooth subtitling process, whether our customers are working on one video or hundreds. This level of efficiency and accuracy helps global enterprises scale their content localisation with ease, saving time and money with better processes and minimal time investment from their internal team.

Increasing engagement with subtitles

Did you know 89% of people use subtitles or captioning when consuming media?

Subtitles are invaluable for making video content easier to follow, hear and understand. Adding localised subtitles goes beyond accessibility. It also drives deeper engagement. Studies reveal that videos with subtitles are not only watched for longer durations but are also more likely to be shared across platforms.

By making your videos accessible to non-native speakers, hearing-impaired viewers and those who prefer watching without sound, global enterprises are broadening their audience and increasing both reach and impact.

Discuss your next subtitling project with LanguageWire

Ready to simplify your video localisation process and reach global audiences with ease?

LanguageWire’s subtitling solutions are here to help. We combine next-generation technology with human expertise, ensuring your subtitles are tailored, accurate and impactful.

Interested in learning more? Request a personalised demo and take the first step toward optimising your video content for the global stage.

This article was originally published by LanguageWire (Verity Hartley).

The difference between a termbase and a translation memory

18.10.2024 by Delingua

If your business regularly works with translations involving multiple languages, you may have already encountered the terms “termbase” and “translation memory”. While both are essential tools for translators, they each serve a different purpose.

In this straightforward guide, we’ll explain the basics of termbases and translation memories, the differences between the two, and how they can help to improve your translations.

What is a termbase?

A termbase (TB), also known as a terminology database, is a collection of specific words and expressions used in a particular subject area, industry, or company. A term entry may include definitions, examples as well as the corresponding translations of these words and expressions in other languages. The primary purpose of a termbase is to ensure consistency and accuracy in translations by providing a reference for the translator.

For example, when translating a legal document, the corresponding termbase might include terms like “jurisdiction,” “liability,” or “indemnity.” When translating a marketing brochure for a technology company, on the other hand, it may include terms like “cloud computing,” “cybersecurity,” or “digital transformation.”

What is a translation memory?

A translation memory (TM) is a database that stores previously translated content in the source and target language. The content is stored as bilingual segments – or translation units – in the database for future use. When a translator encounters the same or a similar sentence or string in a new translation, the translation memory will provide the previously translated version as a suggestion for the translation, saving time and improving consistency.

For example, if while translating the user manual for a product, the sentence “Press the red button to start the machine” has already been translated, the translation memory will provide the stored translation as a translation suggestion for a new sentence like “Press the green button to activate the machine.”

How do they differ?

While both termbases and translation memories are databases used in translation, they serve different purposes. A termbase is a reference tool used to ensure consistency in terminology across translations, whereas the purpose of a translation memory is to reuse previous translations and thereby save time.

How do they work together?

Termbases and translation memories work together to improve the quality and efficiency of translations. For example, a termbase can be integrated into computer-assisted translation software to ensure consistent terminology across translations, improving the accuracy of the translation memory suggestions.

How can they benefit your business?

Using a termbase and translation memories can benefit your business in several ways. By ensuring consistent use of terminology, you can improve the accuracy of your translations, making your content easier to understand for your target audience. Additionally, by reusing previous translations, you can save time and reduce translation costs.

Using these tools can also help you maintain brand consistency across languages, strengthening your corporate voice and ensuring that your messaging is clear and effective in every language. This can improve customer satisfaction.

Want to know more about our advanced solutions for termbase management and translation memories? Reach out to us and we will be in touch shortly.

This article was originally published by LanguageWire Company (Verity Hartley).

LanguageWire Translate – AI-based machine translation service

7.10.2024 by Jari Herrgård

Machine translation engines are a part of our everyday lives. We constantly use them in both professional and private contexts; however, we rarely put too much thought into how the translation itself is produced.

Machine translation engines help us in our daily work. They help us understand the texts we read, whether those texts are tendering information or the website of a local competitor, and also to produce text in a foreign language.

I would like to add a small note here: you should always have translations for published texts looked at by a professional translator, but an automated translation may be sufficient for email or chat use, for example.

LanguageWire Translate (or simply LWT) is our vision of what kinds of requirements a machine translation system for corporate use should meet. On the surface, it’s pretty similar to many of its competitors, but what’s inside is what separates it from the rest.

The key features of LanguageWire Translate include a deep-learning neural network translation engine, extremely strong security and utilisation of the customer organisation’s language resources.

Neural network translation engine

Deep-learning neural network translation engine technology has been tested time and time again in professional use and proven to be fast and reliable, with good-quality end products. When a sentence is longer than a couple of sentences, the engine can take the document as a whole into account instead of translating isolated sentences one at a time. This means the cohesion within the text can be better preserved and the context is better taken into account.

At the heart of LanguageWire Translate is the translation engine we developed ourselves, which has been trained on a large quantity of reliable language data.

The dawn of neural network translation was in 2017, and it remains the most efficient, cost-effective and reliable technology for professional applications. That being said, we naturally explore and already make use of large language models.

Would you like to hear more about our plans and current situation with regard to AI technology? Watch our webinar recording in which LanguageWire’s technical experts talk about our future plans and developmental leaps in AI translation.

Also read our article on large language models and the AI-based LanguageWire Generate content creation tool.

Information security

The level of security is what separates LanguageWire Translate from its free-to-use competitors. When you add text or files to the platform, you always know where your files go (the answer: nowhere). Also, LWT doesn’t store files for any longer than is required to carry out the translation assignment.

Thanks to these features, you can translate any content using LWT, and you don’t need to worry about the use of even confidential information. Right at this moment, it’s likely that you or your colleagues are using a free-to-use translation service to translate texts that could make your organisation’s information security officer raise their eyebrows. You can best prevent this by using a service in which even the most confidential materials are no problem.

The ISO 27001 certificate is just one example of why you can trust our machine translation platform. Naturally, the platform also meets the GDPR requirements.

Making use of your own language resources

Most organisations have some multilingual resources, and highly international and large companies may have lots of them. What lies behind the slightly obscure term language resources? The most important components are translation memories and glossaries, both of which can be fully used also in LanguageWire Translate.

Translation memories are translation databases in two or more languages that are always generated in connection with professional translation work. Glossaries are customer- or industry-specific termbases in at least two languages that are often used to facilitate the translation process.

When your organisation’s translation memory and glossary have been linked, they work seamlessly as part of the machine translation process. In practice, this means that if your organisation has previously had a phrase translated by us and that phrase pops up as part of a text that you have translated using LanguageWire Translate, you will get a reliable translation done and checked by a human. That’s also how the glossaries work.

You will also always see in the tool’s user interface which translations come from the translation memory or termbase and which are generated by AI, so that you will know which ones you need to check.

Ease of use

The translation of short pieces of text, which free-to-use services are known for, is also possible in LanguageWire Translate, and it is sufficient in many cases. However, if you need to have an entire document translated, copying and pasting text into the online user interface becomes cumbersome. Depending on the file format, it may even be impossible to copy all of the text at once and, at least by the time you’re reading the translation and possibly when moving the text back into the original file, things can get tricky. This is why LanguageWire Translate also supports the translation of entire files onto a web page by dragging and dropping.

How generative AI can help elevate your work and boost efficiency

26.4.2024 by Delingua

In the last year, awareness of Generative AI has skyrocketed. The availability of newer and more powerful GPT models has given everyone a chance to benefit from this new technology.

But what exactly are those benefits? How is generative AI really going to change the way you work and why should we be investing our time in understanding these new, powerful tools.

Let’s look at some ways you can use AI to help you work smarter and faster than ever.

Kickstart Creativity

Generative AI is a great starting point for getting your ideas on the page. When working creatively, nothing can be worse than blank page syndrome, where the cursor blinks at you incessantly while you wait for inspiration to strike.

From creating article outlines, to writing first drafts of content, Generative AI can help you jump start your creativity and speed up your workflows. Use it to create first draft outlines or give you heading ideas to get you started. If you’re really stuck it can even create a first draft from scratch to fill that first page.

You can use the new wave of AI tools to help break this cycle and start getting new ideas on the page for you to then finesse with your own style, voice and creativity.

Maintain Consistency & Quality

When working on multilingual content, you want to always maintain a consistent tone of voice and use the right business language. This can be tricky when you have content creators or translators working all around the world and often across different languages.

By interlinking your Generative AI tool with your company termbase and other linguistic assets like translation memories, you can ensure that any content your AI tool generates for you will maintain the correct business tone and language to ensure consistency.

You can train your AI model on your linguistic assets to ensure that it knows your tone of voice, what terms you use and how to spell and write them correctly. This will save you time and effort when validating and boost the overall quality of your content.

Personalise Customer Experiences

It can be difficult to provide always-on multilingual customer service, especially on a global scale. However, AI chatbots can help provide a customer service presence even when your employees are off the clock.

With the latest versions of AI models, these chatbots can be programmed to provide a huge amount of personalised interaction with your customers, in their own language.

Always-on AI chatbots can provide friendly, helpful support to your customers at any time of the day and respond in a conversational manner that seems natural. They can pull data directly from customer databases to personalise the experience and make answering customer queries simple in any language.

Boost Productivity

Data analysis is one of the key areas where AI can help make our lives much easier. AI models are trained on large datasets, and they can easily absorb, review and analyse data in a second before returning the results in an easy-to-read format.

One powerful way this can be used is to summarise long texts. AI can quickly read and create a summary of a longer document by identifying the key points and adding them to a bulleted list. It can also create short-form copy from long-form documents, for example it could build social media posts based on blog articles.

You can input large data sets of any variety into your AI tool and asking them to identify trends, format the content in a variety of ways or to extract key information quickly and easily, cutting down on the manual effort required.

Additionally, you can use an AI tool to help you be more productive in other tools such as Excel by asking you to write a formula that will analyse your data for you in that application.

You do need to be careful about where and what data you upload to open and public AI tools as there is no protection on who can see your data once it is uploaded. Make sure you only upload sensitive data to a company you trust who can provide assurances that nothing will be kept or shared after the task is completed.

Make Generative AI work for you

Generative AI is a powerful tool that you can use to enhance your daily workflows. From creativity to communication, the possibilities are endless. Getting the most out of AI includes understanding how to input the right prompt. If you would like to learn more about AI prompting, read our detailed guide.

Interested to learn more about what LanguageWire AI tools can do for you and your business? Contact us and let’s talk more!

This article was originally published by LanguageWire Company (Verity Hartley).