What is translation? Maximizing communication across languages

Translation plays a key role in how people, institutions, and systems share information across languages. From business, science, law, and healthcare content, effective translation helps make communication possible between groups who don't speak the same language.

The importance of translation technology can’t be understated. The global translation services market was estimated at $42.2 billion in 2024.

This article explains what translation means in its’ various use cases. It also describes how to integrate AI translation paired with human revision into existing workflows to expand audience reach and unlock various benefits.

1. Translation is more than just replacing words. It involves understanding the context, culture, and purpose of the original text. A good translation captures not just what was said, but how and why it was said.

2. Translation takes on different forms depending on the content and purpose. Each type requires specific skills and knowledge to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

3. Translation today uses both artificial intelligence (AI) and human expertise. Each approach has strengths and limitations that make each more suitable than the other for different situations. You can also use the two methods in tandem to create an efficient yet accurate workflow of translating content.

Translation is the process of converting text from one language to another while keeping the original meaning intact. The word "translation" comes from the Latin word "translatio," which means "to carry across." This reflects how ideas have the capability to move from one language to another.

Translation is more than just replacing words. It involves understanding the context, culture, and purpose of the original text. A good translation captures not just what was said, but how and why it was said.

Translation differs from interpretation, which deals with spoken language in real time. Translation reviewers work with written text and usually have time to research and revise their work.

When you translate text, you're building a bridge between languages. This bridge allows information, stories, and ideas to reach people who wouldn't otherwise understand them.

In everyday life, we see translation in:

1. Books and articles from other countries

2. Instruction manuals for products

3. Movies and TV shows with subtitles

4. Government documents that need to reach various countries and languages

5. Websites that serve international customers

Translation breaks down language barriers and connects people worldwide. Whether you speak English, Spanish , Portuguese , or any other language, translation tools allow businesses to reach international markets and help share knowledge across cultures.

Without translation, global communication would be limited to those who speak the same language. Unique ideas, discoveries, and stories would remain locked within language boundaries.

Here's why translation plays a crucial role in our connected world. It:

1. Expands market reach: Companies can sell products and services in countries where different languages are spoken.

2. Preserves cultural understanding: Translation helps maintain cultural context when sharing ideas across language barriers.

3. Enables knowledge sharing: Scientific and medical discoveries can spread globally through translated research papers.

4. Supports legal compliance: Organizations can follow regulations in different countries by translating vital documents.

5. Improves user experience: People prefer to read content in their native language, making translation essential for engagement.

Translation also helps preserve languages and cultures that might otherwise fade away. When books and documents are translated, they reach wider audiences and keep cultural traditions and history alive.

Translation takes on different forms depending on the content and purpose. Each type requires specific skills and knowledge to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

General translation covers everyday texts like articles, correspondence, and basic information. It focuses on clear communication without specialized terminology.

This type works well for:

1. News articles

2. Personal documents

3. General correspondence

4. Website content

General translators need broad knowledge and good writing skills in the source language they’re working with. These skills allow them to make content accessible while keeping the original meaning and context.

Technical translation deals with specialized fields like engineering, IT, and science. It requires precise terminology and subject knowledge to ensure accuracy.

Common technical translation materials include:

1. User manuals

2. Technical specifications

3. Scientific papers

4. Software documentation

Technical translators often have backgrounds in the fields they translate for. They understand complex concepts and can explain them clearly in another language.

Legal translation converts documents between languages while preserving their legal meaning and requirements. Even small errors in this field can have serious consequences.

Legal translators work with:

1. Contracts and agreements

2. Court documents

3. Patents and trademarks

4. Legislation and regulations

These translators need knowledge of the legal systems in both countries they’re dealing with. They must understand how legal concepts and requirements work across different sets of laws and be able to describe them accurately in both languages.

Literary translation focuses on books, poems, plays, and other creative works. The goal is to recreate the style, tone, and emotional impact of the original.

Literary translators balance faithfulness to the original work with readability in the new language. They make choices about how to handle cultural references, wordplay, and rhythm.

This creative process has assisted in launching great literature to reach readers worldwide. Many classic works are known primarily through their translations, including famous stories such as The Little Prince, Don Quixote , and Pippi Longstocking.

Translation today uses both artificial intelligence (AI) and human expertise. Each approach has strengths and limitations that make each more suitable than the other for different situations.

AI translation uses computer algorithms to convert text between languages. Modern computer-assisted translation platforms use neural networks that learn from millions of translated texts.

AI translation works best with:

1. Simple, straightforward content

2. Technical documents with standard terminology

3. High-volume projects with tight deadlines

4. Content that will eventually undergo human review

Popular AI translation tools include Google Translate, DeepL, and specialized enterprise solutions like Smartcat. Translation software continues to improve as they learn from more data.

Human translators bring cultural awareness, creativity, and judgment to their work. They understand context, catch nuances, and adapt content for specific audiences.

Human translation excels for:

1. Marketing materials and creative content

2. Social media posts

3. Legal and medical documents

4. Literary works

5. Content with cultural references

6. High-stakes communication

Professional translators typically specialize in specific fields and language pairs. Many have formal training and certification in translation.

Many organizations now use a combined approach. AI handles the initial translation, and human reviewers refine the output through post-editing. This hybrid method offers several advantages, such as:

1. Speed: AI quickly produces draft translations.

2. Consistency: AI applies terminology consistently across large projects.

3. Cost efficiency: The process requires less human time than traditional translation.

4. Quality control: Human reviewers catch errors and improve phrasing.

This approach works especially well for long-term translation needs. The AI system improves over time as it learns from human corrections.

Translation management systems (TMS) like Smartcat coordinate this workflow, connecting AI translation with human reviewers for optimal results.

High-quality translation requires more than just language skills. Professional translators and translation services follow specific practices to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Translation quality starts with the original text. Clear, well-written source content leads to better translations.

Some tips for creating translation-friendly content include:

1. Using simple sentence structures

2. Avoiding idioms and cultural references that don't translate well

3. Remaining consistent with terminology

4. Providing context and reference materials

When writers keep translation in mind, they help ensure their message comes through clearly in any language.

Glossaries list essential terms and their word-for-word approved translations. They help maintain consistency across all content.

Effective glossaries include:

1. Key terminology specific to your organization

2. Industry-specific terms

3. Product names and features

4. Common phrases that need consistent translation

Translation tools can automatically apply glossary terms during the translation process. This saves time and improves consistency.

Translation memory (TM) is a database that stores previously translated segments. When similar text appears in new documents, the system suggests the existing translation.

Benefits of translation memory include:

1. Consistency: Target text phrases are translated the same way each time.

2. Efficiency: Reviewers don't have to repeat work.

3. Cost savings: Many translation providers charge less for repeated content.

Translation memory becomes more valuable over time as it stores more content. It's especially useful for organizations with regular translation needs.

Quality assurance (QA) helps catch errors before translation delivery. QA tools check for issues like:

1. Missing content

2. Inconsistent terminology

3. Formatting problems

4. Grammar and spelling errors

Many translation management systems include automated QA features. These tools flag potential issues for human reviewers to address.

The ultimate test of translation quality is how well it works for its intended audience. Gathering feedback helps identify areas for improvement.

Ways to collect feedback include:

1. User testing with the target language speakers

2. Surveys about content clarity

3. Analytics on translated websites

4. Customer support interactions

This feedback helps refine both current and future translations. It ensures content truly connects with multilingual audiences.

A well-designed translation workflow balances quality, speed, and cost. The right approach depends on your content type, volume, and quality requirements.

Before translation begins, prepare your content by:

1. Finalizing the source text

2. Providing reference materials and context

3. Identifying key terminology

4. Setting clear expectations for tone and style

This preparation helps both AI and human reviewers understand your needs and deliver better results.

The core translation process may include:

1. AI translation for an initial draft

2. Human translation or review

3. Edits for accuracy and style

4. Quality assurance checks

For simpler content, you might use mainly AI translation with light human review. Complex or sensitive content usually requires more human involvement.

After translation, a thorough review process helps ensure quality. A few essential steps include:

1. Subject matter experts checking technical accuracy

2. In-country reviewers verifying cultural appropriateness

3. Editors ensuring consistent style and terminology

Feedback from this process should be documented and used to improve future translations.

Translation quality improves over time when you:

1. Update glossaries based on feedback.

2. Enhance translation memories with approved content.

3. Train AI systems with corrected translations.

4. Document lessons learned for future projects.

This cycle of improvement helps organizations translate more efficiently while maintaining quality.

Translation helps organizations connect with people worldwide. Whether you're expanding a business, sharing research, or creating content, translation extends your reach.

Some key considerations when translating for global audiences are:

1. Knowing your target markets: Research language preferences and cultural expectations in each region.

2. Prioritizing languages strategically: Focus first on languages that reach the most potential customers or users.

1. Planning for ongoing updates: Set up processes to keep translated content current when the source changes.

Translation is an investment that pays off through increased engagement, broader reach, and stronger connections with global audiences.

The most effective approach combines technology and human expertise. AI translation agencies provide speed and scale, and when paired with human insight, ensure quality and cultural relevance.

Start testing out Smartcat's AI translation platform that combines AI speed with human quality assurance to expand your reach and communicate across language barriers.

Translation converts written text between languages, while interpretation deals with spoken language in real time. Translators can research and revise their work, while interpreters must translate immediately during conversations or presentations.

AI translation works well for straightforward content but may miss cultural nuances or context. Human reviewers understand cultural references and can adapt content appropriately. Many organizations use AI for initial drafts and human reviewers for final quality.

Good translation captures the meaning, tone, and intent of the original text while sounding natural in the target language. It considers cultural context, maintains consistent terminology, and adapts idioms and references appropriately.

Translation memory stores previously translated segments and suggests them when similar text appears again. This reduces repetitive work, maintains consistency across documents, and speeds up the translation process for content with recurring phrases.

Certified translation includes documentation that confirms the translation's accuracy, often with a signed statement from the translator. It's typically required for legal documents like birth certificates, academic transcripts, and court papers used in official proceedings.

Translation is no longer a back-office task—it’s a core driver of growth. Smartcat redefines translation with its AI-powered platform that combines expert-enabled automation and seamless collaboration between humans and machines. By connecting AI agents with the knowledge and skills of your best people, Smartcat transforms fragmented, manual translation processes into a single, intelligent workflow. This enables organizations to scale multilingual content faster, ensure consistency across markets, and significantly cut costs.

A perfect example is Babbel, the global language learning platform, which saved 31 hours of manual work each month using Smartcat. By integrating Smartcat's AI platform directly with WordPress and Google Sheets, Babbel streamlined localization for blog articles, product content, and marketing materials.

“Setting up with the WordPress integration has been one of our main use cases and workflows that we covered with Smartcat. It’s one that gave us the biggest improvements overall,” said Theresa Hein, Babbel’s Content Strategy and Localization Lead​. 

Read the full Babbel case study to see how Smartcat helped scale their translation impact.