Book Chapter Published

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions and experiences of professional Chinese translators regarding the use of ChatGPT, a cutting-edge AI language model, in their translation practice. Employing a mixed-methods approach that includes an online survey of 94 translators and semi-structured interviews with six participants, the research explores how translators perceive ChatGPT’s translation capabilities and its impact on the translation profession and industry. The findings reveal that while translators widely acknowledge ChatGPT’s usefulness in enhancing efficiency and productivity—particularly in tasks like generating drafts, proofreading, and comprehending complex concepts—they express concerns about information security, reliability, handling of culturally nuanced content, and potential ethical issues. Despite these concerns, most translators are optimistic about integrating ChatGPT into their workflow, viewing it as a valuable tool that complements rather than replaces human translators. The study underscores the necessity for translators to adapt to technological advancements and provides insights for practitioners and policymakers on maximizing the benefits of AI while addressing its challenges.