Can machine translation replace translators?
I would like to approach the subject of machine translation from a perspective in which it is bare, deprived from its captivating science fiction camouflage. A program, however sophisticated its AI, artificial intelligence, cannot translate a literary text; it is impossible. Even in a distant possible futures where there are robots in our houses, making breakfast for us, or, there are flying cars in our garages; even if the technology of the future transcends our science fiction expectations, such a thing is not possible.
It is quite clear why, in fact; language is not something physical. It is a sophisticated channel of communication to allow people to organize and regulate themselves in a given society. Language is a concept brought from the sea of abstract by the power of imagination; however, even though it is an imagined reality, it has invaluable function and formidable power. Language is created by the very thing, which is also the biggest weakness of AI; creativity.
Furthermore, translation is not an activity where a words of a text in a source language is transferred in line with the grammar rules of a target language. This notion of translation was abolished 1625 years ago, when Jerome introduced sense-for-sense translation. Now, I would like to give an answer to this question again, “Can machine translation replace translators?”, like Jerome laid down the foundations of it as such 1625 years ago: No, absolutely not. Even when technology reaches utopia levels of advancement, it can only empower its assistive function.