Teaching AI a new language
Have you ever wondered how apps are translated into other languages? Typically, this involves sending thousands of words to human translators who carefully translate every button, message, and menu item. This is not only time-consuming, but also difficult to maintain consistency in translation. Phrases that appear in different places may be translated differently each time, which can be confusing for users. We're trying something new: using AI to translate Padlet. How it works Our new approach combines the speed and consistency of AI with human expertise. First, we select a language for which there is an existing translation—either one we speak or one that has previously been translated by humans. This allows us to verify the quality of the AI output. Using ChatGPT o1, we translate all text in Padlet, using existing translations as examples. AI translates similar phrases consistently across the platform. These translations are then reviewed by linguists to ensure they are accurate and sound natural to native speakers. This hybrid process gives us the best results: consistent translations generated by AI that allow us to quickly release new features, while human experts add important nuance and cultural understanding that machines cannot replicate. Test in two languages We start this new translation system with two very different languages. Urdu : A major global language that will make Padlet more accessible to millions of users. Urdu’s rich linguistic features and unique script make it a perfect case for testing our AI-assisted translation process. Shakespearean English : A fun addition we’ve been wanting to implement since 2020. Now, with AI, we can transform modern English into clear, theatrical language that adds drama without compromising comprehension. Early Results The results were very promising. The AI translations were surprisingly consistent. Whenever a phrase appeared in multiple places, it was translated the same way every time. This allowed our linguists to focus on fine-tuning these consistent translations instead of starting from scratch. Try it yourself Want to explore Padlet in these new languages? Just visit your account settings and select your preferred language from the menu. Whether you want to use Padlet in Urdu or add some Shakespearean drama to your board, the choice is yours. Future Prospects With the addition of Urdu and Shakespearean English, Padlet now supports 44 languages. This is just the beginning of our journey with AI-assisted translation. As we improve this process, we will be able to add more languages more efficiently, making Padlet a truly accessible platform for users around the world.
- 콘텐주콘