ChatGPT辅助翻译的潜力与局限——以《后维多利亚时代人》的翻译为例

The Potentials and Limitations of ChatGPT Assisted Translation:A Case Study of the Translation of After the Victorians

ChatGPT横空出世已经几个月了,译者们都对这种元宇宙的全新AI模型兴趣大发,寄希望于从中挖取更多的助力。但是,对于如何充分利用这种比机器翻译多出了聊天式文本生成功能的AI机器人,中国学者尚未能及时拿出层次更深一些的研究成果,多数讨论以预期未来的挑战与机遇为主。笔者在翻译《后维多利亚时代人》的过程中,从理解原文所需的背景信息补充、思维逻辑线索提示等具体角度,而不是从直接用它提供译文角度,咨询与测试了ChatGPT,发现ChatGPT辅助翻译的潜力很大,但也有很多局限。ChatGPT能为译者提供理解原文所需的有价值的背景信息、语义解读参考、独特的观察推理判断线索等,但是,缺乏对细微差别的辩识能力,难以理解语篇的微妙之处或上下文,从而导致不正确或不适当的反应。译者在使用上要扬长避短,以实现ChatGPT辅助翻译的效果最大化。

Several months have passed since the release of ChatGPT,the new AI model emerging in the metaverse.Translators have shown keen interest in harnessing the potential of this AI chatbot,which offers text generation capabilities beyond conventional machine translation.However,Chinese scholars have yet to present substantial research findings on fully utilizing ChatGPT.Most current discussions revolve around future challenges and opportunities.Taking the case of E-C translating After the Victorians in which the author consulted and tested ChatGPT,this paper explores the application of ChatGPT in the translation process,specifically focusing on supplementary background information and logical cues for comprehending the original text,rather than obtaining a translated version.The findings reveal that ChatGPT holds significant potential for assisting translators by providing valuable context,semantic interpretation references,and insightful observations,reasoning,and judgment cues necessary for understanding the source text.Nonetheless,its limitations are also evident.Due to its lack of nuanced recognition,ChatGPT occasionally fails to comprehend subtle nuances or contextual nuances in the discourse,resulting in incorrect or inappropriate responses.To maximize the effectiveness of ChatGPT in assisted translation,translators should capitalize on its strengths while navigating its weaknesses.