The impact of postediting on AI generative translation in Yemeni context: Translating literary prose by ChatGPT

TL;DR

This study evaluates ChatGPT-4's role in literary translation, highlighting AI's speed benefits and the ongoing need for human postediting to address cultural and stylistic nuances.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on AI's limitations in literary translation and advocates for a collaborative human-AI approach rather than full automation.

Findings

AI improves translation speed and accessibility.

Human postediting is essential for cultural and stylistic accuracy.

AI's limitations are prominent in handling figurative language.

Abstract

This study examines the role of artificial intelligence in translation, focusing on ChatGPT, specifically ChatGPT-4, and the extent to which human postediting is required in literary translation. A mixed-method approach was adopted, involving 30 professional translators who evaluated and postedited AI-generated translations of selected Arabic and English literary texts. The results show that although AI improves translation speed and accessibility, it remains limited in handling cultural, stylistic, and figurative aspects of language. Participants generally confirmed the necessity of human postediting, particularly in novels and drama. The findings indicate that emerging human-machine collaboration model rather than replacement of human translators. The study concludes that AI should be used as a supportive tool, while human expertise remains essential for ensuring translation quality and cultural appropriateness.