Why pay for translations when translations are free?
Jose Burgos

Senior Technical Project Manager @ Innerlingua Translation Services |
January 21, 2025
This question came up during a conversation with a new hire at our agency. At first glance, it might seem valid. After all, with machine translation and artificial intelligence, you could bypass paying for human translation services and save a lot of money, right?
It’s like asking: “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”
While I usually avoid answering a question with another question, I made an exception here. I asked her: “Why do you buy bottled water when water is free?”
She smiled and said, “Now I see why.” And that smile told me she understood.
Technology has indeed transformed the way we approach translations. It has simplified tasks that once took significant time and effort. However, the human element remains irreplaceable when it omes to delivering translations that are accurate, culturally appropriate, and professional.
Many organizations have chosen to rely solely on raw machine translations, thinking they’re saving money. But here’s the reality: automatic translations often fall short of professional standards. Without human intervention—editing, proofreading, and quality assurance—the results can be riddled with errors.

Let’s break it down:
* Even with 99% accuracy, a machine-translated document can have 3.5 mistakes per page. For a 100-page document, that’s 350 errors.
* Would you send such a document to a client without reviewing and correcting it?

These mistakes can lead to serious consequences:
* Damaged credibility and professionalism.
* Lost clients due to poor quality.
* Potential legal risks from errors and omissions.

In my years as a project manager, I’ve seen firsthand the disasters caused by subpar translations. While some bad translations are laughable, others are harmful or even dangerous.
Whether is an employee benefits manual, technical equipment documentation, healthcare providers, patient’s instructions, research clinical trials, asylum court cases of supporting evidence, foreign college transcripts/grades/syllabus, or just a contract, keep in mind of all the consequences that can lead to free translation.

Before relying solely on machine translations, consider the true cost of a “free” service. Accuracy, professionalism, and reputation are priceless. Investing in professional translations ensures that your message is clear, consistent, and impactful. After all, some things are worth paying for.

If you have a question regarding a potential translation, do not hesitate to give us a call at 866-664-4182

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