Google Translate and other machine translators have made a lot of progress since the Cold War. An internet browser can do in seconds what it once took a super computer to do in hours. This inevitable progress leaves many of my fellow translators looking like Chicken Little, always one news article from the apocalypse. The newest scare comes in the form of Google’s Neural Machine Translation and its use of deep neural nets. First introduced in 2016, this update to Google Translate uses probability to increase the accuracy of its translations. Journalists in various publications, including The New York Times and The Economist, have suggested that this newly updated version of Google Translate signals the end of human translation.

I had to know if this “deep learning” version of Google Translate was as revolutionary as those journalists claimed. Would it topple the translation kings like Deep Blue toppled the chess masters? Could it spell the end of human translation altogether? With these questions in mind, I decided to go ahead and test it out. And, I don’t think the sky is falling just yet.

WHAT DEEP REALLY MEANS

Before jumping into the test, I should clarify something here. Deep is an ambiguous word with multiple definitions. These run the gambit from “very intense or extreme” to “profound or penetrating in awareness or understanding.” When people hear that Google bought a company called DeepMind that specializes in “deep neural networks” many people assume that the word “deep” means wise. But, in fact, the word “deep” is being used in a more literal sense. These networks are deeper than their predecessors because they have 12 layers instead of two or three. This does not mean, however, that deep neural networks are any more profound than their shallower counter parts.

With that cleared up, I’d like to share a few of my personal beliefs about Google Translate.

THE SKINNY ON ME AND GOOGLE TRANSLATE

If you’ve been to my blog before, you’ve probably seen a post or two lamenting the quality of Google Translate. Every translator knows that Google Translate has little use outside of making funny internet videos. But, I quickly found that belief didn’t extend to the general public. Many otherwise intelligent people are enamored with machine translation, finding it above reproach. To some degree, I understand. It’s a free tool that speaks more than 96 languages. It’s also the closest many people will ever come to being bilingual.

As a linguist and lifelong translator, however, I do not believe that machine translators are above critique. Simply put, Google Translate is a piece of software which focuses on decoding, instead of understanding, the text put into it. Therefore, the result is typically a garbled, inelegant mess. As you’ll soon see, this still holds true for its newest incarnation.

THE TEST

To test the new and “improved” Google Translate, I translated three English phrases into Swedish and then back into English. What follows is a table of my results:

While Google Translate can bulldoze its way through simple, literal sentences, it’s practically useless for more creative, culturally-oriented texts. It not only tries to tell readers that swallowing is not key to summer, but that soggy pieces of paper drudged up from your well are a fantastic way to boost your website’s reputation. Though the addition of deep-learning will likely improve the software for the general user, it’s still lightyears away from replacing human translation.

CONCLUSION

A lot of translators are terrified of deep neural networks and what they mean for their job security. After testing them out, I quickly realized that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Much like the Google Translate that came before, this “improved” version is still horrible at picking up on subtlety and nuance. It will be years, perhaps decades, before a practical alternative to human translation becomes available.

If you don’t want your Swedish content coming out like the phrases in my test, you’ll need to hire a professional translator. You can contact me directly at tess@swedishtranslationservices.com or visit swedishtranslationservices.com to learn more.

Video killed the radio star. The car spelled the end of the horse-and-buggy. A lot of translators are starting to feel less like valued-professionals and more like unwanted antiques. Many of my peers are so frightened of developments like machine translation and AI that they cannot see its benefits. But, I understand such technological progress can be a boon to our industry and—by extension—you. Join me as I explore five technology Trends impacting the translation industry.

FIVE TECHNOLOGIES CHANGING THE TRANSLATION LANDSCAPE

• Artificial Intelligence (AI):

  The big machine translators are finally starting to realize how much value lies in artificial intelligence and deep learning. By connecting CAT with high-end recognition techniques, AI allows translators and project managers to recognize usage patterns. This results in quicker, more intuitive translations. The Product Owner at memoQ, Zsolt Varga, says that, “Machines will likely play an important supporting role to increase human productivity and value.” But, he’s generally pessimistic about its long-term impact. Others believe that AI will one day bring real-time translation into our grasps. Personally, I think that’s a long way off. Either way, I do expect to see more MT companies using AI and deep learning in their software.

• Convergence:

  Clients are demanding simplicity and speed. As Lukasz Rejter of memoQ puts it: “Clients, by default, do not really care about files, formats, structures, and workflow characteristics – they only deal with these because and when they absolutely must. From their perspective they have a text, a string, a file, an application or a site that they must localize – and they expect it to happen.” Clients don’t want to see their information bounce from CMS to CAT to email. They want everything managed in one easy-to-use environment. This has led to a rise of complete package solutions. In the past year, the lines between many translation processes have begun to blur. As these systems converge, we’ll all benefit from easier access, increased speeds, and easier automation.

• Improved CAT Experience:

  The translation and localization processes of today are a world apart from what they were 20 years ago. Back then, CAT tools were simply that: tools. They were designed to fulfill a simple need. As client demands grew more complex, however, providers rushed to fill in the gaps. Buttons were added. Dashboards doubled in size. This has resulted in CAT software that’s needlessly complex and nearly impossible for inexperienced users to navigate. In the future, I suspect that many CAT providers will release updates with more minimalistic, customizable interfaces. This will make it easier for translators to get their jobs done. I have one thing to say about that: Hallelujah!

• Cloud Computing:

  Everyone has their head in the clouds these days. Or, at the very least, most companies are interested in how cloud computing can help their company. And, many translators are starting to look at how they can use it for the localization process. When asked about the likelihood of the cloud taking over in the near future, one expert hypothesized, “Although cloud technologies are getting more and more popular, and we are using many of them in our daily work, in the translation business a complete take-over by cloud and SaaS technologies is a definite no-go anytime soon.” As cloud is less secure than other options, it’s unlikely that translators will ever be use it for super-sensitive translations. I do think, however, that translators and clients alike should take a look at cloud-based options. Cloud computing’s enhanced flexibility, improved scalability, and increased centralization are worth the effort.

• Videos and Augmented Reality:

  Sandor Papp, the Event Marketing Manager at memoQ, once said, “Our bet for a 2018 trend therefore is this: the year will see a significant increase in demand for video translations and we will also see translation providers adding items to their offerings to ride this wave.” I agree with him. From augmented reality platforms, such as Walmart’s 3D shopping experience, to YouTube videos, of which 300 hours of are uploaded every minute, multimedia content is becoming increasingly popular. To remain relevant, my colleagues are going to have to become more comfortable with video editing and other multimedia tools. As a marketing specialist, I’m already ahead of the curve on this one.

CONCLUSION

As you can see, translation is a field constantly in flux. Driven by changes in client demand, many providers are moving towards simpler, faster processes. As AI and AR become commonplace, translators are going to have to adapt to a future where their value truly lies in their ability to rise above the machines. Since none of these technologies can replace real translators, however, you’re likely still in the market for a great Swedish translator.

If that’s the case, you can go ahead and contact me directly at tess@swedishtranslationservices.com or visit swedishtranslationservices.com to learn more about my services.

Science and Technology Center

Sweden is an advanced nation known for its high-tech market, so it should come as no surprise that business opportunities in Sweden are geared toward tech-savvy companies.

If your team has the knowledge and skills to stand proud alongside Swedish engineers and techies, keep reading to learn about 4 big opportunities for U.S. companies in Sweden.

1. Information Technology (IT)
Sweden is an IT superstar, consistently ranked among the top countries in the world in terms of networked readiness, global connectedness, and ability to use the Internet to improve people’s lives.

However, this doesn’t mean there’s no room left for U.S. companies. Providing IT solutions to growing industries like education, healthcare, and business infrastructure and services presents a huge opportunity for techies interested in the Swedish market.

2. Healthcare and the Life Sciences
The healthcare industry is one of the biggest and fastest-growing on the planet. Healthcare is an especially profitable field in highly-developed countries like Sweden, where advances in technology and an aging population present new opportunities to improve the human condition.

Better yet, Sweden enjoys the highest per capita expenditures on life science research in Europe, creating an enviable environment for pharmaceutical companies and other players in the healthcare field.

3. Renewable Energy
As illustrated by viral international news reports that that Sweden has run out of garbage, Sweden’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable living is difficult to rival.

As the country continues to move toward an even “greener” future, business opportunities in Sweden are plentiful for companies interested in the following areas:

Bioenergy
Biofuels
Solar power
Wind power
Geothermal heating
Waste-to-energy systems
Sustainable wastewater treatment
Electric vehicles

4. Manufacturing and Materials Technology
With plentiful natural resources, highly-skilled engineers, and a network of R&D centers focused on materials, Sweden is an attractive location for many players in the industrial and engineering arenas, especially those who wish to develop and test new materials.

This is particularly true for companies interested in cutting-edge areas like nanomaterials, bionanotechnology, and nanoelectronics. American companies looking to enter the nanotech field may wish to begin by reviewing a listing of nanotechnology companies in Sweden.

As you can see, many of the leading business opportunities in Sweden for U.S. companies are in fields that are becoming increasingly important all over the world. That should also come as no surprise, since Sweden tends to be on the cutting edge of research and innovation.

One last thing before you go: I have a professional background in IT myself, so if you are interested in pursuing the first of the business opportunities in Sweden listed here, please stop by my software and website localization page to find out how I can become a valuable member of your team.

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First of all I would like to thank all my loyal readers of this blog. Many of you know that I am an English into Swedish translator with the company Swedish Translation Services. Here is a short presentation of Swedish Translation Services as a business.

Background of Swedish Translation Services

Swedish Translation Services was founded in 2003, when I decided to leave my career in international marketing and focus on my passion, languages. My life situation had made me bilingual in English and Swedish and my passion for writing and languages brought me to my new career, translation. I started out slowly, with small children at home, did a lot of research and self-education through the Internet and through American Translators Association, and as my children grew, so did my business. I am now a full time freelance English into Swedish translator, a grader for the American Translators Associations English into Swedish certification exam, and certified Swedish translator for the US State Language Department with several ongoing translation projects and loyal clients.

Swedish Translation Services is headquartered in Park City, Utah, USA, up in a mountain ski resort, but is yearly relocated to Sweden for a month or so. Currently, I am working from Stockholm, Sweden for a whole year, thanks to my husband’s sabbatical as a professor, and my whole family is immersed in the Swedish language and culture.

Services, Specialization and Technology

I provide professional English into Swedish translation, editing and proofreading of business communications, both internal HR-communication and external marketing communication. With a previous professional background in the IT business, I also specialize in technical documentation and software localization.

Examples of some ongoing projects are: technical help software for computers, internal and external communication for one of the largest charitable organizations in the world, marketing and client communications for a cosmetic company, software for a multinational medical company, marketing communications for Skype and communications for the Clinton Foundation. In between these I have the pleasure of doing lots of varied translation projects and I learn something new every day.

I make an effort to stay abreast on new technological developments in the translation business and use the latest translation tools to provide consistent translations, with the same layout as the original. Many of my clients have their own project management tools and I work with at least ten of these regularly. My dictionaries and language research tools are now mostly on my computer and thanks to modern technology I can easily work from two or more, different countries. More information about translation tools can be found, for example in this article on Wikipedia.

Typical work process

When offered a translation job I first look through the document(s) to make sure the texts are something I am comfortable and experienced with. This means that I want to see the document, or at least an excerpt of it, before accepting a translation project. After accepting a project, I set it up in my translation tool and make sure I have all the resources I need and that everything is clear. Often, the client has some specific instructions to read and follow, or perhaps a style guide to read through. After this, the actual translation process can start. I go through the document sentence by sentence, or sometimes paragraph, by paragraph, translate into Swedish, and highlight or comment on things that are unclear. During this process I usually have to do some terminology research online or in dictionaries, and I usually check online, or with language experts, to see which expression is more common than another.

When the first run through is done, I contact the client if something is unclear or to ask about preferred terminology. I sometimes also contact some of my trusted colleagues to ask for advice if needed, while making sure I do not reveal any confidential information.  After this step, I go through the bilingual text in the translation tool once more, proofread and make amendments according to the feedback I have received from the client. I do a spell check and “clean” the bilingual document so I get only the Swedish text. Sometimes I also perform a so called “quality assurance test”, depending on the project. This is a feature offered in translation tools and it checks for inconsistencies or untranslated sections. The last step is to read through the clean document again, proofread and do a last spell-check and layout check. When this is completed I can deliver the translation, invoice the client, and update translation memories and glossaries so I do not have to look up the same term or expression again for future projects.

Marketing and Continuing Education

When I am not translating I do administrative tasks, marketing or improve my skills. I might be contacting potential clients or updating current clients on my availability, new knowledge or expertise. I regularly take courses in translation, Swedish writing or grammar, business skills, plus on new developments in my fields of expertise. . I usually attend about two translation conferences a year, and take advantage of local networking in my field whenever time permits it. The professional associations I am a member of have been very useful to me, and I am trying to give back to the profession by also being involved in them. I am currently the chapter chair for all local groups under American Translators Association and I regularly give training and presentations in the field of marketing and translation for freelance translators. Being an entrepreneur and a freelancer means there is always something to do to grow my business.

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