The importance of context in translation with AI

In the age of artificial intelligence, machine translation is being used more and more frequently. However, despite the impressive progress that has been made in this area, context remains a crucial factor that significantly influences the accuracy and relevance of translations.

Example of a translation problem

A common problem with automated translation is the correct translation of technical terms or specific expressions. An illustrative example of this is the translation of the term „permanent“ as a job type. When using Azure AI Translate, this term is often incorrectly translated as „are permanent“. However, the correct translation should be „permanent position“.

This error illustrates how important it is to consider the context to ensure an accurate translation. The term „permanent“ can have different meanings in different contexts, and without considering the specific area of application, mistranslations can easily occur.

For the customer concerned, we successfully adapted the Staffbase widget with the job listings so that the benefits of automatic translation can continue to be utilised - without fear of the meaning being completely distorted.

The solution: fine-tuning the data

To solve such problems, it is necessary to refine and adapt the data used for the translation. If the context is also transmitted, the hit rate for the desired result increases enormously.

By fine-tuning the data, specific requirements and subtleties can be better taken into account, resulting in more accurate and reliable translations. This is particularly important in areas where technical terms or industry-specific expressions occur frequently.

Conclusion

At first glance, translation with AI may seem simple. However, as is so often the case, the challenges lie in the details. Context is an essential aspect that must be taken into account during translation to avoid misunderstandings and ensure the quality of translations. With careful fine-tuning and continuous adjustment of the data, the effectiveness of AI-supported translations can be significantly improved.

---

This is exactly what we at JASP are equipped to do. Our many years of in-depth experience - especially in the areas of Microsoft 365, interfaces, web development & SharePoint - are the basis for being able to work responsibly and effectively with new technologies. Our goal is always to find the best solution for our customers - true to our motto: „Run smarter projects“.