Why I Hate Automatic Translation

First of all, I do not complain about readers using some automatic translation tools to read articles or something written in their non-native languages. I often use them, especially when I immediately want to grasp the content. The point of this article is not for readers. So, don’t worry, Japanese readers. Feel free to use Google Translate to read it ;-)

What I most hate is the automatic translation tools integrated with writing platforms that allow authors to publish their articles with automatically translated versions alongside the original. I had not identified the reason why I felt so unacceptable and irritating and nasty about this feature. Now, maybe I have determined the reason. So I try to state.

Writing does not mean just writing something. The essence of writing is to convey something to readers. So, as authors, we must make the most effort to choose appropriate words, structure sentences, control flow, and countless other elements to convey what we want to say. In other words, we must completely put our writing under control. That is a natural responsibility as an author. Every author who wants to convey something must make such efforts.

Automatic translation, or letting automatic translation write your articles on your behalf, even in other languages, corrupts this responsibility. I must admit that in most cases, articles translated automatically have enough quality to convey their original meanings. Modern translation technology with AI capability has evolved so much that we often cannot determine whether a sentence is auto-translated. Yet writers must take complete control of their writing to ensure all words and sentences convey exactly what they want to say, even if readers do not interpret them as intended. We cannot control readers, but we can control our writing.

So… Eventually, maybe I only hate that automatically translated articles are published as my products. I welcome readers using automatic translation; maybe I welcome my articles being automatically translated by volunteers on irrelevant websites or something to writing platforms. I must admit that I tend to pursue the most ideal and complete way. And, isn’t it funny that I write this opinion in horrible broken English? x-D