The impact of postediting on AI generative translation in Yemeni context: Translating literary prose by ChatGPT

arXiv cs.CL Papers

Summary

This academic study on arXiv examines ChatGPT-4's performance in translating literary prose between Arabic and English, involving 30 professional translators who evaluated and postedited AI-generated translations. The research finds that while AI improves translation speed, human postediting remains essential for handling cultural, stylistic, and figurative language aspects, suggesting a human-machine collaboration model rather than full automation.

arXiv:2604.16704v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: This study examines the role of artificial intelligence in translation, focusing on ChatGPT, specifically ChatGPT-4, and the extent to which human postediting is required in literary translation. A mixed-method approach was adopted, involving 30 professional translators who evaluated and postedited AI-generated translations of selected Arabic and English literary texts. The results show that although AI improves translation speed and accessibility, it remains limited in handling cultural, stylistic, and figurative aspects of language. Participants generally confirmed the necessity of human postediting, particularly in novels and drama. The findings indicate that emerging human-machine collaboration model rather than replacement of human translators. The study concludes that AI should be used as a supportive tool, while human expertise remains essential for ensuring translation quality and cultural appropriateness.
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# The impact of postediting on AI generative translation in Yemeni context: Translating literary prose by ChatGPT
Source: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.16704](https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.16704)
[View PDF](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2604.16704)

> Abstract:This study examines the role of artificial intelligence in translation, focusing on ChatGPT, specifically ChatGPT\-4, and the extent to which human postediting is required in literary translation\. A mixed\-method approach was adopted, involving 30 professional translators who evaluated and postedited AI\-generated translations of selected Arabic and English literary texts\. The results show that although AI improves translation speed and accessibility, it remains limited in handling cultural, stylistic, and figurative aspects of language\. Participants generally confirmed the necessity of human postediting, particularly in novels and drama\. The findings indicate that emerging human\-machine collaboration model rather than replacement of human translators\. The study concludes that AI should be used as a supportive tool, while human expertise remains essential for ensuring translation quality and cultural appropriateness\.

## Submission history

From: Mohammed Q\. Shormani Mr \[[view email](https://arxiv.org/show-email/612bf6a2/2604.16704)\] **\[v1\]**Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:12:56 UTC \(552 KB\)

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