The Police Misstep with Google Translate

Arrested by a machine? 

Sounds like a scene from a sci-fi thriller, doesn't it? But this isn't fiction; it's a chilling reality. Let's delve into a critical issue, one that might have repercussions beyond what we can fathom.

Dated Yet Relevant

Yes, the incident we're about to discuss happened back in 2012. It's old news, but it remains disturbingly pertinent. In an era where technology evolves at a lightning pace, this story serves as a cautionary tale of what could be in store for us all.

Before we dig into the crux of the matter, let me point out that the very same technology that powers machine translation -Large Language Models (LLM)- also powers artificial intelligence (AI). As such, it is worth heeding the warnings by luminaries like Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking.

Read how an innocent man was arrested with machine translation:

Police use of Google Translate 'mistake'

A Global Concern

Think this dystopian-esque future is in some distant land? Think again! 

It's happening right here in our own backyard. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is gearing up to implement Automated Phone Translation. Sounds like a boss idea to provide legal aid at cost; however, at its core, it's the same flawed machine translation technology.

The Problem with Machine Translation

In case you’re wondering what our beef is with machine translation -also known as automated translation- here’s a simple experiment we’ve run over a number of years to illustrate the efficacy of this stuff:

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In an era where the promise of technology is immense, we must be vigilant about its applications. The incident from 2012 should serve as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of relying on machine translation in critical situations. In our quest for efficiency and convenience, it’s important not to underestimate human intelligence, especially in sensitive areas like law enforcement.

Oh, by the way, we're proud to be Japanese Human Translation Services

Translation Article Feedback: A Sign of The Times?

Years ago, we explored the downfall of Takeda Random House Japan Co., Ltd., a well-respected Japanese publishing company.

Their mistake? 

Relying on machine translation for published works, which led to a disastrous recall. If you're curious about the full story, check out the article here: 

Machine Translation Forces Major Japanese Publishing Company into Bankruptcy

Translators Weigh In

Interestingly, this article only gained attention years after its original publication, when it was re-blogged in January 2015. The flood of comments that followed highlighted an ongoing debate in the translation industry—a debate that’s still very much alive today. Here are some of the comments that really stood out:

Maria Rigli: “Machine translation should not be confused with computer-assisted translation. Surely, nothing can replace human translators.”

Nancy Matis: “Crazy story. I can't read the full article in Japanese, but I guess those machine-translated texts were at least post-edited before being published… I can understand the use of MT in some sectors, but in this case, I have some doubts…”

Nellie K. Adaba: “I'm sorry, I meant to say machine or automatic translation, or translation memories cannot replace us human translators. I messed up, made a mistake, malapropism.”

Marvin Taylor: “We all make mistakes like that. While I think machine translation might be faster and more multichanneled than human translation, it never gets the ‘feel’ of human translation, 'tis true. It seldom gets the nuances as well as human translation when one goes between languages. Therefore, we all agree: machine translation cannot replace human translation.”

Maria Ortiz Takacs: “Wow, it's hard to believe that a reputable publishing company would be so sloppy!”

Mohammad Sinaei: “I think we should use both human and machine translators. Sometimes machines are useful (for typing faster), but sometimes human is the best option (makes fewer mistakes). All in all, I think both have pros and cons.”

Japanese Translation Service vs. Machine Translation: The Debate Continues

These comments underscore a broader issue in translation today. While everyone agrees that machine translation can't match the natural quality of human translators, several significant points stand out:

• Confusion About Machine Translation: Many people don’t fully understand what machine translation really is. Click here to learn more about the different types of translation
• Blaming the User, Not the Tool: Some believe that the fault lies with how machine translation is used, rather than the tool itself.
• Mixed Feelings: While machine translation has its uses, it’s clear that human translation is still superior in many cases.

We don’t necessarily endorse all these opinions, but as a Japanese Translation Service specializing in human translation, we do have a bias. Machine translation (MT) is often irresponsibly marketed as a viable alternative to professional human translation, despite its significant limitations.

One example comes to mind: 

A client in Sri Lanka needed their machine-translated website re-done with professional Japanese translation. They had been led to believe that machine translation was sufficient. The result? They ended up paying 75% more than they would have with a professional translation from the start.

Why don’t you decide for yourself the efficacy of machine translation – Read

Take 2: Looking for Free Japanese Translation?

Is Free Japanese Translation Worth It?

As machine translation technology evolves, it’s increasingly associated with AI, neural networks, and deep learning. Yes, there have been improvements, but at the end of the day, machine translation is still just that—machine translation.

So, what do you think? Is it worth the risk, or does human translation still reign supreme? We’d love to hear your thoughts—your two cents are always appreciated!