Ukuhumusha kwe-AI

A usable translation must preserve factual content, tone, names, numbers, and relevant context. Fluency in the target language is helpful, but a fluent mistranslation can still be seriously misleading.

Okuthathwayo okubalulekile

• Preserve meaning and protected identifiers.
• Review language in its actual interface.
• Use appropriate expertise for consequential translations.

Specify the source language, target language, intended audience, and regional conventions when they matter. A word can have several meanings, and an isolated fragment may not contain enough context to choose among them. Supply surrounding text and an approved terminology list where possible. Separate text that should be translated from identifiers that should remain fixed. Product codes, names, URLs, placeholders, and programming syntax often need protection. Dates, decimal separators, measurement units, and currency notation require deliberate localization decisions rather than automatic substitution. Review translated interfaces in their actual layout. Longer labels can wrap, right-to-left text changes reading order, and a technically correct sentence may not fit the purpose of a button. Check keyboard navigation and language metadata as well as the words themselves. For consequential material, use a qualified reviewer who understands both the language and domain. Back-translation can reveal inconsistencies, but two systems can repeat the same misunderstanding. A proper review compares the translation with the original meaning and intended use.

1. Use the invented message “The charge was removed.” In a billing conversation, charge can mean a fee; in a different context it can mean an accusation.
2. Provide the previous sentence explaining that the customer received a refund.
3. Review whether the translated wording expresses the billing meaning and preserves who removed the fee.

This example shows why context should be supplied before judging translation quality.