I couldn't agree more with you all. Automatic translation programs may work when subjects are technical ( with some human additional touch), because technical knowledge itself governs understanding, so translation is just putting different words on concepts, things, phenomena that are already known well
in terms of both definition and functiunality.Works in closed circuit with little free intrusion from outside.
But translating a novel, a play or simply a love letter is coplng with non predetermined, unexpected signals in meaning and in intensity.
Yes translators shouldn't be pessimistic and remember , even technical discussion will always require translators's skills.
A few years ago an experiment was conducted that consisted in asking a computer to translate from english into russian, then from russian into french, and finally from french into english the following sentence pronounced by Jesus :
"Spirit is prompt but flesh is weak"
After a few clicks and purrs the final print out was reading :
"Alcohol is strong but meat is advanced"
Love.
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