AI Translation vs Human Translation: What 30 Years of Experience Taught Me
A 30-year translation veteran tests AI translation against human expertise. Discover where machine translation fails and when human translators are essential.
Read moreAI translation got you 90% there. I deliver the final 10% that matters.
Precision Where AI Falls Short
AI handles the volume — I deliver the quality. From marketing to legal, literature to healthcare, I take machine-translated content and refine it until it reads as if written by a native English or German speaker.
AI Translation
"The party must make available all documents which have relevance for the purpose of this agreement."
After My Edit
"The party shall provide all documents relevant to the purpose of this agreement."
90% AI
10% Human expertise
precision
accuracy
compliance
quality
detail
Based in the Algarve, Portugal
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The Story
Why the last 10% matters
AI translation tools have changed everything. DeepL, ChatGPT, Google Translate — they're fast, cheap, and often surprisingly good. But "surprisingly good" isn't good enough when your content needs to be flawless.
Since 1994, I've worked at the intersection of languages — trained in Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham and Lettres Modernes at Université Toulouse-Jean Jaurès. Today, that experience has a new application: I take AI-translated content and elevate it to professional standard. I catch the errors machines miss, fix the awkward phrasing that screams "translated," and ensure your content meets the exacting standards your industry demands.
AI gets you 90% of the way. I deliver the critical 10% that makes the difference between "good enough" and professionally polished.
I work across diverse industries — marketing, literature, legal, healthcare, technology, and finance — wherever precision and natural-sounding language matter. My clients understand that the cost of professional editing is far less than the cost of getting it wrong.
Based in Portugal for over 30 years, native in both English and German, and fluent in Portuguese and French, I work with European companies who need their content to be not just correct, but impeccable.
30+ Years Experience
Native English & German
4 Languages
30+
Years of Experience
4
Languages Mastered
100%
Human Precision
Why Human Expertise Matters
The difference between "good enough" and "legally defensible"
AI Translation Alone
- Pattern-matching without context
- Misses legal terminology nuances
- Inconsistent terminology
- No accountability for errors
With My Expertise
- Deep industry context and understanding
- Precise legal and technical terminology
- Consistent voice and style throughout
- Professional accountability
Industries I work with
Marketing
Literature
Legal
Healthcare
Technology
Finance
What I Do
Precision Language Services
Where AI reaches its limits, expertise begins
Primary Specialisation
10
%
The Human Touch
AI handles the volume.
I ensure the quality.
The final 10% that transforms
"good enough" into exceptional.
AI Translation Editing
Machine translation produces fast results. I transform them into polished, professional content that reads naturally and communicates effectively.
AI tools are impressive, but they often miss nuance, context, and the subtle choices that make writing truly effective. I bridge that gap — taking machine-translated content and refining it until it reads as if written by a native speaker.
Industries I Work With
- Post-editing of machine-translated content
- Quality assurance for AI-generated text
- Terminology consistency checks
- Cultural adaptation and tone refinement
Languages: English ↔ Portuguese ↔ German | French → English
Bridging languages with precision
Translation
Professional human translation for content that demands accuracy. When machine translation isn't enough, I deliver translations that capture meaning, tone, and cultural nuance — not just words.
- Portuguese, German, French ↔ English
- Marketing & brand content
- Technical & business documents
- Literary & creative texts
✦ Your message, perfectly rendered
Your voice, amplified
Copywriting
Words that work as hard as you do. In a world saturated with generic AI-generated content, authentic human copywriting is your competitive advantage. I craft compelling copy that captures your brand's unique voice.
- Brand messaging & tone of voice
- Website copy & landing pages
- Marketing collateral & campaigns
- Voiceover scripts & video content
✦ Copy that sounds like you — only better
Stories worth telling
Journalism & Editorial
Stories that matter, told with craft and integrity. From investigative features to intimate profiles, I bring a journalist's rigour and a storyteller's instinct to every piece.
- Long-form features & profiles
- Corporate storytelling & case studies
- Editorial proofreading & sub-editing
- Interview-based content
✦ Journalism that earns attention
Linguistic Range
Four Languages, One Voice
Three decades of immersion across Europe's cultures — not just speaking, but thinking and feeling in each language
Native Language
English
Born and raised in the UK, with the natural ear for rhythm, idiom, and register that only a native speaker possesses.
Native
Proficiency
30+
Years Writing
Native Language
German
Native-level fluency with deep experience in German business culture, technical documentation, and the precision the language demands.
Native
Proficiency
30+
Years Experience
Portuguese
FluentLiving in Portugal for decades, with the majority of my clients being Portuguese. The saudade, the warmth, the poetry of the language — I feel it, not just speak it.
30+ yearsFrench
FluentStudied at Université Toulouse, lived in France. From formal business French to the nuances of Parisian wit.
30+ years" Language isn't just vocabulary and grammar — it's culture, context, lived experience. You can't download that.
What Clients Say
Words That Matter
His professionalism and friendly manner was greatly appreciated by the whole team. The client was extremely pleased with the copy, which was done to a tight deadline. We will certainly be using Chris again for future work.
Production & Media
Ready to experience the difference?
Start Your ProjectFrom the Desk
Insights & Perspectives
Thoughts on language, translation, and the art of human communication
Selected Work
Publications & Projects
A selection of published translations, articles, and client work
Books
The Tragedy of Fidel Castro
TranslatorWhen God receives a request from Fatima to help prevent a war between Fidel Castro and JFK, he asks Jesus to return to Earth and diffuse the conflict. A satirical literary translation bringing this acclaimed Portuguese novel to English readers.
ISBN: 978-1938416163
Jesus and Magdalene
TranslatorFull literary translation of "A Segunda Vinda do Cristo a Terra" — bringing this Portuguese novel to English readers while preserving its spiritual depth and narrative voice.
Purple Carrots
Writer & Recipe EditorRecipes and stories from Portugal — contributing writing and editorial expertise to this culinary celebration of Portuguese cuisine and culture.
Algarve Rocks!
WriterA celebration of the Algarve's unique character and lifestyle — contributing writing to this vibrant portrait of the region.
The Truth
TranslatorLiterary translation of this Portuguese novel, bringing Ana Teresa Silva's compelling narrative to English readers.
Magazines
Villas&Golfe
2002–Present
TranslatorResponsible for the English version of Portugal's premier luxury lifestyle magazine, covering real estate, golf, and the Algarve's finest offerings.
Essential Algarve
2002–2016
Translator & WriterLong-standing contributor to this regional lifestyle publication, translating and creating editorial content on culture, travel, and local life.
Revista Apolonia Supermercados
2005–2012
Writer & TranslatorContent creation and translation for this regional supermarket chain's customer magazine.
Trends Magazine
2002–Present
TranslatorTranslation services for this lifestyle and design publication.
Roof Magazine
2016
TranslatorTranslation services for this architecture and design publication.
Diamond
2015–2016
TranslatorTranslation services for this luxury culture and lifestyle publication.
Education
University of Birmingham
Bachelor's Degree, Special Honours in French (with Portuguese)
1990-1994
Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès
Lettres Modernes
1992-1993Questions
Frequently Asked
Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) is the process of refining AI-generated translations to professional quality. Tools like DeepL and ChatGPT produce output that's often 90% correct, but that remaining 10% is where awkward phrasing, missed nuances, and embarrassing errors hide. I take machine-translated content and transform it into text that reads as if written by a native speaker.
AI excels at pattern matching but struggles with context, nuance, and domain-specific precision. In legal contracts, 'shall' vs 'will' can change enforceability. In medical documentation, 'contraindicated' vs 'not recommended' has regulatory implications. In marketing copy, tone and cultural resonance make the difference between content that connects and content that falls flat. The accuracy gap in AI translation is precisely where professional editing adds value.
I work across diverse sectors including Marketing (brand content, campaigns, websites), Literature (novels, creative writing), Legal (contracts, compliance documents), Healthcare (patient information, medical content), Technology (documentation, software localisation), and Finance (reports, communications). Whether it's creative flair or technical precision you need, I deliver content that sounds natural and reads professionally.
I work with English, Portuguese, German, and French. As a native speaker of both English and German, with over 30 years of fluency in Portuguese and French, I offer bidirectional translation between English, Portuguese, and German, plus French to English. I catch errors that AI makes consistently: false cognates, register shifts, cultural assumptions, and terminology that looks correct but isn't.
Yes. While AI translation editing is my primary specialisation, I also provide full human translation services for content that demands it — literary works, creative marketing, and texts where the human touch matters from the start. I also offer copywriting and journalism services for original English and German content.
AI translation editing is faster than full translation — typically 2-3x faster for standard business content. A 3,000-word document usually takes 1-2 working days. Complex legal or technical content may require additional time for terminology verification. However, the value proposition is quality — content that meets professional standards and sounds naturally written.
Ready to get started?
Let's Talk Precision
Whether you need AI-translated content polished to perfection or authentic copywriting that connects, I'm here to help.
Currently accepting new clients
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."