Hybrid translation – editing machine translation

Avatar Translation helps to turn machine-translated content into accurate, stylish, and natural-sounding texts. We make sure that large-scale projects can benefit from a high-quality, yet affordable solution.

Hybrid translation – cooperation between technology and humans, where machines have come to help mankind and to offer an even better service.

The development of technology has brought three tools to the translation world: translation memories, neural machine translation (neurotranslation), and AI translation. The use of a machine speeds up the translation process because it creates a rough draft for the translation quickly, which is then improved by human editors to achieve precision, linguistic consistency, and appropriate style. Although such machine-based interfaces are able to produce translations fast, their phrasing does not always correspond to the terminology approved by specialists or to industry standards. Therefore, it is important that the output of the machine always goes through human review – particularly in the case of translations requiring accuracy. The best solution is to use machine translation as a tool for accelerating the process and ensuring a good base level and to leave the finishing touches to experienced translators or editors.

HYBRID TRANSLATION

Professional machine translation

Avatar Translation offers machine translation, be it neurotranslation or AI translation, only with post-editing. Our services include two levels of post-editing for machine translations:

Full post-editing (FPE) – post-editing carried out to obtain a result comparable to that of human translation. The translation is accurate, clear, and stylistically correct, with proper wording, grammar, and punctuation. However, the aim is not to produce a new human translation, but to make maximum use of the machine translation output in the post-editing process.

Light post-editing (LPE) – post-editing carried out to produce a text that is merely comprehensible, but nowhere close to human translation. We recommend that you use light post-editing only to understand the text and for in-house materials. In the case of LPE, as much of the raw machine-translated text is used as possible. The aim is to convey the content of the original text very accurately, without adding or omitting anything, while ensuring that all sentences are clear, correct, and unambiguous. However, errors in grammar, wording, and style are not corrected as part of LPE.

We comply with the standard ISO 18587 – Post-editing of machine translation output when providing the machine translation post-editing (MTPE) service.

What is machine translation and how does it differ from human translation?

Machine translation (MT) is a modern solution where software translates texts automatically without human interference. The best CAT tools combine all of the capabilities of a machine – memories, machine translation, and AI translation – but let a human to decide which translation option is the best in any given context, this is often referred to as hybrid translation. Although MT is the fastest and most convenient option for a customer, it is definitely not comparable to the quality of a text translated by a human and will not replace it entirely. Machine translation post-editing (MTPE) is indispensable for ensuring accuracy, proper style, and fluent use of language in the texts.

As AI translation is based on algorithms, it might decide to use terminology inconsistently. Therefore, although AI translation is suitable for creating a base for a translation, it also needs professional proofreading and editing. For this reason, the following rule always applies to machine translation: ‘Use it, but check it!’

MT systems allow to create termbases that ensure the consistent use of terminology in all translated texts. A terminologist creates a termbase that is also approved by the customer. The one big advantage of this is terminology approved by specialists. These systems use terminology that is approved by the customers as well as the terminologists. This ensures that texts in a specific field are translated more consistently and accurately.

In which situations should you use machine translation?

Not all texts are suitable for MT, such as confidential documents, translations containing personal data, or texts that are not suitable for machine translation due to their content or style, i.e. their post-editing takes significantly more time than human translation would require.

MT is a quick cost-saving solution for standardised, easily understandable texts that do not require much creativity or accuracy. For the best results, MT should always go hand in hand with human editing to ensure quality and precision. Using a machine is perfect in the following situations:

Simple standardised texts – MT is perfect for repetitive and structured texts, such as the translation of simple technical guidelines and product descriptions.

Large data volumes where accuracy is not of critical importance, such as informative internal documents.

For initial review or as a draft – MT helps to assess the content of documents quickly and processes large data volumes efficiently.

Informal communication, such as customer support chats, where the main emphasis is on communicating simple information fast.

What kind of texts must be translated by a human?

Texts requiring creativity and style, such as advertising campaigns, literary works, or other creative texts where the use of metaphors, complex style, and the communication of emotions are important.

Legal texts where every word is of critical importance and mistakes in nuances or terminology are unacceptable.

Sectors that require accurate terminology (such as medicine or science) where a mistake may lead to serious consequences.

Texts meant for localization and culture-specific messages, where the interpretation of intercultural differences must be taken into account and which therefore must be reviewed by a local expert.

However, the MTPE service does not mean the disappearance of traditional translation provided by humans, which we offer in accordance with the ISO 17100 standard. Find out more about our translation and interpretation services.

If it seems like you are dealing with texts described above, you have a limited budget and a short deadline, then ask for a quote!

Languages

We are able to offer translations
between the following languages

We provide professional translation services for more than 50 languages in various fields. Ask for a quote – we will reply within two hours!

Show more languages

Ask for a quote

Feedback

What do our customers say about us?

“

Consistent customer satisfaction: 4.7/5

For us, the greatest value that Avatar brings is the way its team is willing to seek and find solutions for any work-related problem. Avatar stands out for its sincere and friendly communication even during the busiest times, and naturally, all of these advantages are accompanied by exceptional linguistic professionalism.

SEB Pank

https://www.seb.ee/en

The texts in books published by the Art Museum of Estonia are highly specific to this field, and usually, they are challenging for translators due to their topics, terminology, and sentence structure. Avatar Translation has managed all of these projects very well and done it in the widest variety of language pairs. By now, we have partnered with them for several years. Excellent communication with customers and adherence to the agreed deadlines are also worth mentioning.

Art Museum of Estonia

https://kunstimuuseum.ekm.ee/en/

We are very satisfied with the translations provided by Avatar – your services are fast and with excellent quality. We feel like our partner thinks along and is open to discussions and feedback as well as the constant improvement of services.

Omniva

https://www.omniva.ee/eng

Our work often requires large volumes of translation over a short span of time, setting high expectations to our partner. As Avatar Translation has used our advertising services in the past, we decided to try their translation services. We were very satisfied from the start – Avatar responding quickly to queries and the fast completion of translation projects support our work pace. Communication is always easy and pleasant, our needs are perfectly understood, and the entire process is smooth. All these factors make Avatar Translationour reliable partner 😊

Delfi Meedia AS

https://www.delfi.ee/

We always compare offers from several translation agencies, and Avatar has become one of our trusted partners. Our cooperation has been positive in every way – we value their friendly and kind customer service highly, as well as the excellent quality of translations that have always met our expectations.

Tartu University Hospital Foundation

https://www.kliinikum.ee/en/

Describing our services requires precise technical vocabulary and Avatar managed with the terminology wonderfully. In addition, we would like to praise the fast and pleasant communication – we always knew the precise time of the completion of translations and everything invariably arrived on time.

Forus

https://forus.ee/en/

I have partnered with Avatar for years – their service is fast, accurate, and always world-class. Without fail, technical texts, such as labels and user manuals, are translated correctly and professionally.

Rilak

https://www.rilak.ee/?lang=en

We value the quick and efficient nature of Avatar and its readiness to fulfil our special requests very highly.

Bayer OÜ

https://www.bayer.com/en/

In short, we have always worked well with Avatar because the company has a wonderful and helpful staff. Another positive aspect to mention is Avatar’s flexible pricing policy. So far, we are extremely satisfied.

Police and Border Guard Board

https://www.politsei.ee/en

Avatar Translation is a reliable partner that provides a fast service and communicates in a smooth and customer-friendly manner.

Kalev Spa

https://www.kalevspa.ee/en/home/

Paints, varnishes, glazes, primers, putties, and plasters – the technical information regarding chemicals used in construction and various certificates, declarations, and promotional materials require constant updating and improvement. Ours has been a valuable partnership spanning years that keeps getting better with time. Caparol trusts and recommends Avatar!

Caparol

https://www.caparol.com/en/

As medical translation requires particular accuracy and specialised knowledge, we have picked our partners carefully. We prioritise high-quality translations – this is exactly what Avatar Translation offers! In addition, projects are completed quickly and the price/quality ratio is excellent. The project managers of Avatar are respond quickly to all queries and are helpful even in the most complicated situations. We have never been disappointed with the quality of the translations.

Celsius Healthcare

https://celsius.ee/en

As one of the largest tourist attractions in Estonia, we need translations into several languages simultaneously, so it is very convenient that we are able to order them from the same provider. We value Avatar’s professional project management and pleasant communication style.

Estonian Maritime Museum

https://meremuuseum.ee/en/

In the interests of the best service quality, we always want to provide our customers with information in several languages. Avatar Translation is our long-term partner that provides fast and accurate translations.

Piletilevi

https://www.piletilevi.ee/eng/

The service provided by Avatar is extremely professional and fast and the customer service is always pleasant and friendly. We are very happy and are confident in recommending them to others as well.

Kaubamaja

https://www.kaubamaja.ee/en/

Avatar is a reliable translation bureau, and when using their services, you can always count on the high quality of the end result. Avatar provides a flexible and fast service!

Coop Pank

https://www.cooppank.ee/en

We are a regular customer of Avatar Translation, and usually, we order translations of technological and scientific texts for different language pairs. Their translators and editors are competent linguists with excellent professional training and a respect for deadlines – you can always count on Avatar!

AAA Patendibüroo

https://www.aaa.ee/en

Customers

Our customers

Partners and customers who value our services

Advantage No. 1

Quality you can trust

We ensure excellence in each stage of the translation process, combining the skills of professional translators with modern technological solutions in compliance with the requirements of international ISO standards.

Advantage No. 2

Flexibility and accuracy

Our accurate and flexible work flow ensures that all projects are completed on time and meet the expectations of the customers as well as the highest quality standards.

Advantage No. 3

Experts

Our translators are specialists in their fields, whose thorough expertise ensures accuracy and quality for even the most complex topics, such as law, medicine, and technology.

Advantage No. 4

Uniform style

Due to our experienced translators, editors, strong project management, and skilful use of MT, we are able to ensure a uniform style that corresponds to the needs of the customer and creates a reliable end result.

Advantage No. 5

Fair price

Our price/quality ratio is properly planned and balanced, offering the value of professional work at a competitive price.

Completed projects

A selection of projects we have completed

Services

Other services

Our objective is to ensure the highest possible quality for every translation project