Machine Translation vs. Human Translation: When to Use Each

Machine translation (MT) has made remarkable strides, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here's how to choose the right approach:

**Machine Translation: Best For**

- **Internal communications** - Quick understanding of foreign documents
- **High-volume, low-stakes content** - Large datasets needing basic understanding
- **Real-time translation** - Live chat support with quick turnaround
- **First drafts** - Initial translation to be refined by humans (MTPE)

**Human Translation: Essential For**

- **Marketing and creative content** - Nuance and emotional impact matter
- **Legal documents** - Precision and liability considerations
- **Medical content** - Patient safety depends on accuracy
- **Brand messaging** - Your voice needs a human touch
- **Culturally sensitive content** - Context requires human judgment

**The Hybrid Approach: MTPE**

Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) combines the speed of MT with human expertise:

1. Machine translation creates the first draft
2. Human editors refine accuracy and fluency
3. Quality reviewers ensure final polish

This approach offers:
- 40-60% faster turnaround
- 20-30% cost reduction
- Human-quality output

**Our Recommendation**

Consider the stakes: How much would an error cost? If the answer is significant, invest in human translation. For lower-stakes content where speed matters, MTPE offers an excellent balance.

At arlaang, we offer all three approaches and help clients choose the right solution for each project.