Mengenal Lebih Dalam Juru Bahasa di Era AI Ini Tugas dan Keahlian yang Dibutuhkan
Studies in Indonesia showed that even though machine translation tools are very helpful in informal situations, human translations are still far more accurate and culturally acceptable for formal situations with a lot of technical terms. One study, “Analisis Kualitas Terjemahan dari Bahasa Inggris ke dalam Bahasa Indonesia” [Analysis of English to Indonesian Translation Quality], found that in translating a magazine article, about 84.21% of sentences are considered accurate, but the remaining 15.79% are considered “inaccurate or unnatural”.
It is important to note that in this AI era, human interpreters are still irreplaceable, especially in international events, conferences, and materials concerning legal or diplomatic issues.
Another study, “Kualitas Terjemahan Kalimat Opini” [Translation Quality of Opinion Statements] by Amerta Media, highlights that translation students commonly face difficulties in translating opinion statements, especially in translating idioms and maintaining text’s original style. ejournal.amertamedia.co.id
A study concerning “Analisis Metode Terjemahan Google Translate dari Teks Berita Bahasa Arab ke dalam Bahasa Indonesia” [Analysis of Google Translate’s Translation Method of News Report from Arabic to Indonesian] found that even though the translation method is “relatively accurate”, there are a lot of potential errors concerning idioms, sentence structures, and tone modulation. Rumah Jurnal IAIN Metro
Understanding Interpreter
Interpreters hold a crucial role in interlingual communication. Different from translators, interpreters work through spoken language without having to write the target sentences. Put another way, interpreters are responsible to transfer meanings from one language to another directly in spoken words.
The main differences between translators and interpreters are in their methods and work time. Translators usually work with written documents like books, novels, articles, journals, and movie subtitles. This process requires a relatively long time since translators have to read, understand, and rewrite the materials in the target language.
On the other hand, interpreters work in real time. Interpreters have to listen, understand, and deliver the meaning in target language directly within seconds. This profession requires a high level of concentration, advanced language proficiency, and mental alertness. It’s not surprising then, that the presence of interpreters are very vital in international events, business conferences, and official meetings involving international participants.
Being an interpreter, especially in Jakarta, concerns more than just language skills, but can also be a fun experience. For example, while accompanying foreign tourists, interpreters can explore various interesting destinations for free. Other than that, being in this profession opens up opportunities to gain international relations.
The Responsibilities of an Interpreter
Professional interpreters are responsible to ensure seamless communication between individuals or groups speaking different languages. Here are some main responsibilities of interpreter:
1) Conveying Meanings in Real Time Through Spoken Communication
Different from translators, one of the main responsibilities of interpreters is conveying meaning directly from source language to the target language. This process happens quickly, without long pauses, to ensure effective communication.
2) Maintaining Accuracy and Meaning
Interpreters do not just convey the meaning of each word, but also maintain connotations, emotions, and contexts of the conversation. This is important to ensure that the other party understands the message.
3) Mastering Specific Terminology
For various topics like health, legal, or international business, interpreters are required to understand technical terms so that the meaning is delivered accurately and appropriate to the event’s needs.
4) Delivering Cultural Contexts and Emotions
One of the most important skills for interpreters is the ability to transfer cultural contexts, intonations, and emotions of the speaker. They understand that communication is more than just about language, but also about expressions. With this skill, the message transferred will feel natural and true to source, not just a stiff translated speech.
5) Supporting Interlingual Communications in Important Events
Interpreters often present at international events like conferences, seminars, business meetings, and diplomatic forums. In this situation, interpreters work as a communication bridge for every party so that they can interact without any language barrier. The success of an event often depends on the interpreters’ skills in maintaining fluent communications.
6) Bridging Intercultural Communications
Other than language, cultural differences are often a challenge. Interpreters must be able to deliver meaning while adjusting to the audiences’ cultural norms, so that the communication is free from misunderstanding.
7) Supporting International Events and Tourists
In a metropolitan city like Jakarta, interpreters are often needed to support foreign tourists or formal events. This role helps interpreters to explore various places and build international connections.
Common Problems Faced by Interpreters & Automatic Translation
Some of the most common problems are:
- Errors in translating technical terms and idioms
Machine translations are often literal, ignoring cultural contexts and language style.
- Limitations in capturing tones, nuances, and emotions
For example in formal speeches, diplomatic talks, or public information.
- Limitations in naturality
As was shown in the study about Garuda Magazine: some translations are still stiff and readers have to read more than once to grasp its meaning. Jurnal UNS
- Issues regarding data security and confidentiality
One can not simply upload legal documents, contracts, or sensitive reports to AI platforms without considering the data protection aspects.
Skills Needed by Professional Interpreter
Based on the literatures and practices in Indonesia, here are the important skills for interpreter:
- Language and cultural skills: understanding cultural contexts of both languages, ability to transfer the meaning of idioms appropriately.
- Technical terminology skills: when talking in formal events regarding business, environment, policies, law, etc., one must master the appropriate technical terms.
- Mental reflexes and memory: in simultaneous or consecutive interpreting, interpreters must pay attention and transfer meanings quickly and accurately.
- Adaptability to topics and situations: change of topics, hybrid event settings, remote interpreting needs, all of these need a high flexibility.
- Professionalism & confidentiality ethics: especially for documents or communications that are confidential or strategic.
Potential Collaboration: AI and Interpreter
AI should not be treated as a replacement, but as an aid. Collaborations can occur in various ways such as:
- Using AI for the initial draft of technical terminology or common terms, then proofread by humans.
- Using AI-based automatic transcription as reference during interpretation or post-event evaluation.
- Using technologies like NLP (Natural Language Processing) and local databases (for example, Nusa Crowd) to train AI on Indonesian contexts and local languages.
In the midst of technological advancements, human interpreters have not lost their relevance. Their skills in capturing meanings, cultural nuances, and contexts are still needed. Especially in formal events, important publications, and international communications. AI provides speed and ease-of-use, but has not been able to replace human-level understanding.
Understanding the tasks and skills of interpreters helps us appreciate this profession and ensure that we choose the language service provider that is not just fast, but also accurate and meaningful.