The predictive effects of user perceptions on the willingness to continue using machine translation

Abstract Machine translation (MT) users generally express a willingness to continue using MT systems, despite their often-negative perceptions of MT output quality. Informed by an extended Technology Acceptance Model, this questionnaire-based study of trainee translators ( N = 273) investigates this phenomenon by assessing the predictive effects of users’ perceptions on their intention to continue using MT systems. Perception of MT output quality was found to have no significant direct effect on respondent’s intent to continue using MT; however, the strongest predictor of continued use was the perceived relevance of MT output, followed by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. This study suggests that user perceptions of relevance and usefulness, other than output quality, were more direct determinants of user intent. The results highlight the importance of user perceptions in translation technology acceptance, providing a new perspective on MT system research and development.