Does AI Truly Understand?
Does AI truly understand? I once heard a story about a man who visited Siberia in November and discovered the true meaning of the Russian word "гололедица" (gololéditsa) — ice-crusted ground.…
Why Does AI Struggle With Nuance?
Why does AI struggle with nuance? I was in the process of translating a book from Russian into English when the client wrote and said that he had run my…
What is AI slop? Machines Can Generate Words, But Only Humans Can Give Birth to Language
What is AI slop? When I share something with another person, I almost always sense whether I have truly been understood. If someone responds too quickly or with too many…
Layng, Mabel Frances; The Tea Table; Silk Heritage Trust; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-tea-table-103363
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Using AI?
What are the long-term effects of using AI? They say: “If you meet the Buddha by the road, kill him.” It simply means that if you worship any fixed idea…
Localization Insight: Why Can’t AI Truly Know Without Lived Experience?
Why can't AI truly know without lived experience? A client recently asked me to localize their Russian website for a U.S. audience. I asked, “What are your goals?” They replied:…
What do Clients Want From Translators in the Age of AI?
What do clients want from translators in the age of AI? A client called me today and said, “I’ve written a book, and I’d like to translate it into English.…
Is Language a Means of Communication or Portal into Being?
Is language a means of communication? A friend recently used the word “flimsy” in a somewhat unusual context, and I asked, “What do you mean by flimsy?” He replied, “Well, the word means…
Can Machines Truly Understand? Language as Living Energy
Can machines truly understand? A client recently contacted me as an interpreter and said, “It’s critically important for me not just to convey the words literally, but to preserve the…
Who Can Be an Interpreter for a USCIS interview?
Who can be an interpreter for a USCIS interview? Technically, an interpreter must be at least 18 years old, fluent in both English and the applicant’s language, and able to…
The Hidden Psychology of Interpreting That AI Will Never Replace
What will AI never replace? As an ATA-certified Russian translator and interpreter, I get to meet many people—and learn a great deal about the psychology of interpreting. What do people…