AI does not "assist" translators, it just makes their work harder, brings down the quality, and impacts their pay. 😭
02.03.2026 07:27
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AI does not "assist" translators, it just makes their work harder, brings down the quality, and impacts their pay. 😭
Hey folks! Board member Zach has written up a quick update re: how we are doing. Please check it out and share widely: critical-distance.com/2026/02/25/2...
Hey.
Tell people when they do good job.
When you like the stuff they make.
When you like the characters they’ve created.
The stories they’ve told.
Nobody hears it as often as you think bc everyone thinks everyone hears it all the time.
Trust. They don’t.
Tell. Them.
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Ooh, love Shloc! Will have to give it a listen.
Get excited @cdcubed.bsky.social!
OH, Look! Another game translated by magic!
This right here is quite dangerous in these times. Why? By erasing us translators from our jobs it makes it easier to replace us with GenAI.
We've always been invisible. That gave them a leverage in introducing MTPE and lowering our rates.
Hurts so good (but good = bad).
Been hoping to get PR myself! Mind if I DM you to share some info I learned?
Very glad to hear it, and 5 is a fantastic first visa!
That's a really cute letter❣️
Didn't realize you play XIV!
I let them know my thoughts and I highly encourage everyone to as well.
We translate books because reading, writing, creating, sharing with others, bridging cultures and communicating are human activities that give us a reason to live. Take the human element out, and what even is the point? Why do it if humans are not enjoying the process or the product?
recently my friend's comics professor told her that it's acceptable to use gen AI for script-writing but not for art, since a machine can't generate meaningful artistic work. meanwhile, my sister's screenwriting professor said that they can use gen AI for concept art and visualization, but that it won't be able to generate a script that's any good. and at my job, it seems like each department says that AI can be useful in every field except the one that they know best. It's only ever the jobs we're unfamiliar with that we assume can be replaced with automation. The more attuned we are with certain processes, crafts, and occupations, the more we realize that gen AI will never be able to provide a suitable replacement. The case for its existence relies on our ignorance of the work and skill required to do everything we don't.
it’s come to my attention that my tumblr post has been crossposted to bluesky, so I’m posting it on my account here #AntiAI #GenAI
Have a fun & safe trip!
I remember playing this as part of a Sega PC collection - fun stuff!
New paints day 🥳
the winter solstice has come once again... it's time to eat tong jyun ⛄
npckc.itch.io/tongjyun
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
This includes voice actors and outsourced localizers, btw! #TranslatorsintheCredits
(Looking at you, "Tales of" series, for leaving these people out of the credits despite reporting that 70% of players now come from overseas: bsky.app/profile/lizb...)
I wrote a piece about translation earlier in the year, talking about how a good translation isn't, and can't be, just matching words one-for-one:
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/02/03/h...
We can do even more.
Woah, blast from the past!
Haven't done that in almost two decades 😬
Don't love this, nope.
A "grizzly" death indeed 😉
Hope you're enjoying your trip here!
This is messed up on so many levels. As a writer and reader the thought that bots will scrape your book and make up stuff about it, influencing a reader's enjoyment and understanding of a story is just insulting. More people need to quit Amazon.
Replaying Hades before Hades 2, and boy, this game is fantastic. Better than, even. Snappy writing, challenging yet surmountable combat, charming characters, heartwarming story...the list goes on and on.
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.
Oh man I've wanted them to do a show here for so long...