I was still a novice in the translation field in the late 80s. Back then, I used to do a lot of interpreting, including in New York Courts. Unfortunately, I stopped interpreting years ago due to hearing issues in both ears.
A translation company which is still around occasionally hired me for both written translation and interpretation. They used to pay little, late for large assignments, plus they set the price, but it helped my cash flow. I found in previous jobs that they pretty much hired anybody who claimed to be a translator or interpreter without any vetting.
In this instance I was called to do witness preparation for a jurist who was being used as a legal expert on Brazilian law. He was an older man, very well dressed and spoken, the real deal. At the end of our session, he implored me to return the next day because the interpreter the agency sent the day before was totally unprepared. The gentleman knew enough English to figure the interpreter was mistranslating a lot of what he was saying, making him sound like a simpleton, and was afraid this would tarnish his reputation. I explained to him that the agency assigned interpreters, it was not my choice, and there was nothing I could do. So, I never returned.
There is a huge risk when you run your key presentation text or contract through AI translation software and trust the output with your life. You, a busy executive or secretary, may have looked over the first pages, and found it to be OK. The document has over 10,000 words, and you have no time. Is it worth saving a few hundred dollars, ending up like my reputable jurist friend from the 80s, looking silly and unprofessional?
While AI is clearly disrupting the translation industry, the fact is that usually output is a rought draft at best.
Consider hiring an experienced AI translation editor like me for all your Portuguese needs. It may be a deal maker.
Carlos de Paula is one of the top Brazilian Portuguese translators in the USA since 1982. And now a top Portuguese AI Translation editor as well.
