Translating the Caribbean – AI and the future

Colonialism is often the starting point to explain the linguistic makeup of the wider Caribbean, but the true language landscape is much more diverse. According to the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, while European languages dominate the linguistic grouping of ‘official languages’, there is a plethora of others, including Amerindian, African, Creole, and Asian languages, which also contribute to the region’s linguistic diversity and heritage. 

A multilingual Caribbean space relies heavily on translation services to facilitate written communication among speakers of different languages and transfers of knowledge within the public, private and academic sectors. At the University of the West Indies, there are Translation Bureaus at the St. Augustine, Mona and Cave Hill campuses, and post-graduate programmes that contribute to the sustained growth of a highly qualified cadre of professional translators. At the same time, online translation tools and applications, especially those powered by artificial intelligence, offer an alternative for accessing translation services. Tools like Google Translate or Chat GPT have become modern-day quick references for the translation of words, paragraphs and in some cases complete documents from one language into another. For our observance of International Translation Day earlier this year, UNIC Caribbean explored the impact of artificial intelligence translation tools on the practice of translation in the Caribbean.

We spoke with Dr. Rossana Herrero-Martín, Coordinator of the UWI Cave Hill Translation Bureau, Mr. Eric Maitrejean, Coordinator of the UWI St. Augustine Caribbean Interpreting and Translation Bureau and Mrs. Lyndell Logan-Salina, retired translator and interpreter about the world of professional translation and the impact of AI-powered tools on its relevance and sustainability. 

Translation: the process and product

Herrero-Martín describes the process of translation as not merely the swapping of words from one language into another but rather a “purposeful, ethical act of intercultural communication: rendering meaning, intent, tone and function of a source text into a target language so it works for its new audience.”  The skill set of a professional translator is underpinned by a perfect command of the target language, including an advanced-level understanding of style and register, as well as cultural nuance and contexts. The process of translation also includes background research, revision and proofreading so that the translated product adheres to international standards. According to Maitrejean and Logan-Salina, exposure to and familiarity with a broad range of topics and issues - including historical and current events - are assets for students of translation, enhancing their capacity to recognise and appropriately replicate topic-related or contextual nuance and references. Logan-Salina says the translator’s ability to weave together these various linguistic, cultural and contextual threads, is directly linked to the quality of the translated product. 

The professional translator’s fluency also extends to the use of translation tools and technology, including machine and computer aides and software designed to support their work. Artificial intelligence within the context of translation studies, refers to the ability of computer systems to translate text from one language to another.   Tools powered by this technology can potentially enhance the efficiency of the professional translator’s workflow, from drafting to revision, and even the inclusion of terminology options to convey appropriate nuance and context . 
 

“But machines doing that now!”

Before she entered the profession, says Logan-Salina, many outside the field anticipated the imminent takeover of the translation process by computers. Since the turn of the century, artificial intelligence has enhanced the capacity and output of translation tools and applications. These tools have become widely available and accessible via online and mobile applications, making translating from one language into another not just easily available, but also cost effective for those purchasing this service.  

So, does the availability of AI portend the demise of translation as a human endeavour? For Maitrejean and Herrero-Martín, as Coordinators of Caribbean Translation Bureaus, reinvention and evolution is what comes next for the profession of translation. According to Maitrejean, it is the responsibility of language professionals to upskill and improve their capacity to utilise AI tools as part of their professional toolkit, in order to add value in sectors where “a very simple phone app” can replace their services. 

Herrero-Martín envisions translators as not merely remaining relevant but also leading the modern-day process and workflows that utilise these tools to ensure adherence to international standards of quality and compliance. Output that is rapidly (and often very cheaply) churned out by online translation tools still requires professional review and editing for linguistic, cultural or contextual nuance. This is where Herrero-Martín predicts a sustained and even increased demand for professional translators. She believes that despite the advances made by AI translation tools, core human skills – “judgement, ethics, cultural intelligence, writing craft” – will remain irreplaceable. 

Translators and AI – preserving the multilingualism of the Caribbean 

The linguistic landscape of the wider Caribbean includes many of what Herrero-Martín refers to as “under resourced” languages; that is, languages for which there are few or no resources that can be accessed by translators globally. Within the context of the 21st century, this lack of data available to train AI translation algorithms and models severely reduces the options for translation from and into these languages, potentially undermining the value of these languages as vehicles of knowledge and culture for their respective communities. 

For Herrero-Martín, Logan-Salina and Maitrejean, professional translators possess a unique skillset as builders of corpora including, dictionaries, glossaries and other language resources. For them, this skillset is critical for curating the resources required to ensure these languages become potentially more visible to AI-powered algorithms, and therefore more accessible globally. Herrero-Martín says it is imperative that this resource-building and curation prioritize community language sovereignty and the safeguarding of this intangible heritage: 

“When carried out responsibly and in close collaboration with language communities, translation can be a powerful instrument of preservation, revitalization, and visibility for Caribbean languages, including indigenous languages.” The unique role of professional translators as community partners, language curators and potential facilitators of resource access to AI-powered algorithms and models should be considered “not just a technical act but an act of cultural justice.”

The expert contributions of qualified translators working in the Caribbean facilitates communication while preserving the region’s multilingual identity. Artificial intelligence technology has transformed the process of translation and offers translators tools to enhance their professional experience while continuing to practice the art of translation. By keeping pace with the advantages offered by AI and adopting and adapting its tools to address the linguistic needs of the region, Caribbean translators strengthen their roles as protectors of the region’s multiple language identities and linguistic diversity.

End Notes

Interviewees:

• Eric Maitrejean, UWI St. Augustine Caribbean Interpreting and Translation Bureau
• Dr. Rosana Herrero-Martín, UWI Cave Hill Campus Translation Bureau
• Mrs. Lyndell Logan-Salina, Qualified Translator and Interpreter

References:

• AI and the future of translation. In search of evidence. Anthony Pym. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46rUOOmNlkA  Accessed 24 September 2025
• Using AI in Translation, a technological leap, or a translator’s nightmare. Mohammed Tewfik Bouguesmia. ALTRALANG Journal Volume: 02 Issue: 02 / December 2020 pp. 78-102
• Implications of using AI in Translation Studies: Trends, Challenges, and Future Direction
  Mansour Amini, Latha Ravindran, Kam-Fong Lee
  Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences e-ISSN: 2682-8502 | Vol. 6, No. 1,740-754, 2024
• Enhancing Translation Studies with Artificial Intelligence (AI): Challenges, Opportunities, and Proposals. Çeviribiliminin Yapay Zeka (YZ) ile Geliştirilmesi: Zorluklar, İmkânlar ve Öneriler, International Journal of Philology and Translation Studies, Volume 5, Issue 2, 2023
  Artificial Intelligence in Translation: Challenges and Opportunities. Roya Shahmerdanova. Acta Globalis Humanitatis et Linguarum. Vol. 2, No. 1 (2025)