Cross-cultural adaptation in translating popular science books

Abstract Cultural adaptation presents a significant challenge in translation, particularly when translating texts across diverse cultural contexts. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have introduced new approaches for translators to manage this issue, reshaping the way cultural adaptation is handled in various domains. This study investigates the role of human-centered artifical intelligence (HCAI) in improving translation quality, specifically in the context of translating popular science books. The research aims to explore how AI tools improve both the accuracy and fluency of the translation while maintaining the integrity of cultural features when applied to culturally- loaded content. In this study, the translation of culture-specific elements is initiated through machine translation. Subsequently, AI tools are employed for detecting and proofreading potential errors or inconsistencies, focusing on cultural adaptation. The case studies are drawn from a popular science book, providing a practical foundation for examining how AI tools assist translators in navigating the cultural challenges inherent to such texts. The findings reveal that while AI tools offer substantial support in managing the complexities of cultural adaptation, their effectiveness is optimized when they are used as complementary tools rather than as a replacement for human intervention. The research emphasizes that the translation process must remain fundamentally human-centered. Furthermore, the study underscores that while AI technologies can significantly improve efficiency and consistency, the human translator must retain a central role in ensuring that the translation meets the cultural and contextual expectations of the target audience. AI should be viewed as a supplementary tool that enhances the translator’s work so that cultural adaptation is both accurate and sensitive. This synergy between human translators and AI technology paves the way for more effective and high-quality cross-cultural communication and exchange. Overall, the utilization of AI tools in the translation process holds the potential to improve translation quality, but it must be applied within a framework that prioritizes human expertise and experience, particularly when addressing culturally specific content.