The Vital Importance of Translators in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous aspects of our society, including translation. However, despite technological advancements, the role of translators remains crucial in communication between different languages. Although AI can generate large amounts of text and facilitate translation work, it still lacks the sensitivity and context that only a human translator can provide. In the film industry, translation plays a crucial role in the dissemination of foreign films. Examples like Lebanese films not reaching Latin America due to lack of resources for translation into Spanish highlight the importance of translators in this field. Despite the availability of machine translation tools, cultural and contextual interpretation remains a fundamental task that only a human translator can carry out accurately. Generation Z in the United Kingdom and the United States shows a growing interest in foreign films, emphasizing the relevance of translation in the entertainment industry. While AI can streamline the translation process, it lacks the emotional and cultural understanding that a human translator possesses. Context, linguistic nuances, and cultural peculiarities are aspects that only an experienced translator can grasp and faithfully convey. Ángela Mariscal, a professional translator, emphasizes that while technological tools have facilitated the work of translators, they have not succeeded in replacing their role. Deep knowledge of languages and cultures remains essential for producing accurate translations faithful to the original message. AI can generate grammatically correct sentences, but it lacks the sensitivity and interpretation necessary to adequately convey the meaning of a text. Alonso Guerrero, a linguistics researcher, points out that AI operates through grammatical rules but lacks the interpretative and sensitive capacity that characterizes human language. Gestures, tones of voice, and cultural contexts are fundamental elements in translation that AI cannot capture. This highlights the importance of human labor in the interpretation and translation of texts, especially in sensitive areas such as cinema, where linguistic subtleties are crucial. At the Lebanese Film Festival in Mexico, AI has been used to subtitle films; however, limitations in the accuracy and fidelity of translations have been evident. Grammatical errors and lack of contextualization are aspects that only a human translator can correct and improve. The complexity of translating not only words but also emotions, accents, and colloquial phrases underscores the importance of translators in the film industry. Despite technological advancements, translation remains an essential task that requires deep knowledge of the languages and cultures involved. Sensitivity, contextual interpretation, and the ability to adapt to linguistic nuances are skills that only a human translator can provide. The coexistence of AI and translators represents an ideal combination to ensure effective and precise communication in an increasingly globalized and multicultural world.