AI translations have become an integral part of business communication. Tools like DeepL and ChatGPT can translate large chunks of text within seconds. But anyone who thinks you can just throw a text into an AI and expect a perfect translation is often in for a disappointment. The key to success? A well-written prompt. And that just happens to be where language professionals make all the difference.
A prompt is the instruction you give to the AI. It tells the tool what you want it to do: “Translate this text from Dutch into English, using a professional tone, and pay attention to industry-specific terminology”, for example. A well written prompt should be as specific as possible. A vague prompt leads to a vague translation. A smart prompt leads to a translation that needs minimal post-editing—if used correctly.
Imagine you need to translate a technical manual for a software product. The prompt “Translate this text into English” will get the AI started, but there’s a good chance the output will be full of literal phrasing, incorrect technical terminology, and a tone that doesn’t match your brand.
A language professional, on the other hand, would write a far more specific prompt, such as:
“Translate this technical manual from Dutch into English. Use a formal tone, maintain consistent terminology for UI elements, and write in clear, active sentences as is standard in English-language instructional content. Make sure the text complies with DIN EN 82079-1 guidelines.”
The results for each prompt will be completely different.
Do you want to get off to a flying start? At Scriptware our specialists will work with you to determine a step-by-step plan. Contact us now for more information or get an instant online quote now.
Using generic prompts often results in translations that look fine at first glance, but are full of issues upon closer inspection. Think of:
A "controller" in engineering is not the same as in finance.
An HR document should sound friendly and accessible, while a legal text needs to be formal and precise.
English that sounds clearly translated rather than natural.
For an internal email, that might be acceptable. But for a whitepaper, website, or legal contract? You simply must get it right.
AI models are powerful, but they don’t understand context the way humans do. They don’t automatically know who your audience is, what the purpose of your text is, or what tone of voice fits your brand. A good prompt can guide the AI—but only if it’s written by someone who understands the source language, the target language, the industry, and how AI works.
At Scriptware Translations, we combine linguistic expertise with smart use of AI. Our language professionals know exactly how to steer AI to get the best results. We use specialized prompts tailored to your industry, audience, and tone of voice. And we thoroughly review the output—so you get a translation you can actually use.
AI is a fantastic tool. But it’s no substitute for linguistic intuition, subject-matter expertise, and good judgement. And that just happens to be what we do best.
Want to benefit from the speed of AI without sacrificing quality? Then a professional approach is essential. With the right prompt—and an experienced language professional at the helm—you’ll get the best out of AI, without the risk of embarrassing mistakes or lost nuance.
Curious how we use AI smartly in our translation workflows? Get in touch or upload your document for a free, no-obligation quote.
