AI Machine Translation

Translate Faster.
Reach More Markets.
Maintain High Standards.

Enterprise-grade AI · Data remains under secure control

LocaTran combines neural machine translation, large language models, and a global network of over 3,000 expert linguists. Enterprise teams can access a efficient solution for multilingual content with AI support. We provide unmatched depth in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other Asian languages. All processes are ISO-certified to ensure quality and security.

20+
Years In Localization
150+
Languages
3,000+
Vetted Linguists
ISO
9001 & 17100 Certified
OUR POSITION ON AI IN LANGUAGE

Two decades of localization craft, meeting a new generation of language AI

The tools of our industry have evolved over time, moving from translation memory to statistical machine translation, from neural machine translation to today’s large language models. Despite this evolution, our guiding principle remains unchanged.
Technology carries the volume. Expert linguists carry the responsibility.
AI can assist in multilingual content creation, translation, and publication efficiently. However, it is not yet reliable enough to work independently, especially for Asian languages, regulated industries, or any context where a single mistranslated clause could compromise months of market development.
Fit-for-purpose, not dogmatic. Overseen by experts, not fully automated.
We design each workflow around your content, your risk tolerance and your brand voice — deploying AI where it multiplies value, and human expertise where it is indispensable.
THE AI & MT LANDSCAPE

Three technologies. One fit-for-purpose strategy

Clients often ask what the difference is between NMT, LLM, and Generative AI, and which one is best for their needs. Here is how we approach it and how we deploy each technology in real-world workflows.
NEURAL MT
Neural Machine Translation
Specialized engines, such as Google, DeepL, Microsoft, Amazon, and domain-trained systems, are purpose-built for industrial-scale translation. They excel at structured and technical content but are less effective at capturing nuance, tone, and creative expression.
LLM
Large Language Models
General-purpose models such as GPT and Claude. They produce more fluent, context-aware output and excel at post-editing, summarization, transcreation and multilingual content generation. Typically slower and more costly than NMT.
GENERATIVE AI
Generative AI
The broader category includes AI systems capable of generating novel content in any language when provided with the right prompts and references. These systems power multilingual content creation at scale and are reshaping the localization industry today.
Our answer is hybrid — by design, not by compromise.
NMT for throughput. LLMs for fluency. Human experts for accountability.
THE LOCATRAN AI TRANSLATION WORKFLOW

A hybrid pipeline engineered for quality, speed and scale

Every project follows a fit-for-purpose workflow that combines machine translation, LLM-powered refinement, AI quality estimation, and expert human review. We deliver the appropriate quality tier at the selected cost for every content type, with transparency at each stage.
Content Intake & Asset Preparation
Content profiling (type, risk, audience)
TM & termbase cleanup and alignment
Style-guide and glossary setup
DELIVERABLE
Workflow design & quality SLA.
Engine Selection & Neural MT
MT engine benchmarking per language pair
Pre-translation via best-fit NMT
TM leverage and terminology injection
DELIVERABLE
Raw MT output & engine rationale.
Expert Human Review
Senior linguist validation
Cultural and regulatory review
Final QA per ISO 17100 procedures
DELIVERABLE
Publish-ready content & QA report.
Raw MT output & engine rationale.
LLM post-editing for fluency and tone
Brand voice and locale conventions applied
Prompt templates tuned to your style
DELIVERABLE
Refined draft ready for QA.
AI Quality Estimation
Segment-level confidence scoring
Auto-approval above threshold
Routing of low-confidence segments
DELIVERABLE
Segment-level QE report.
CORE AI SERVICES

The full stack of AI-powered language services

From raw machine translation to enterprise-grade multilingual content and AI data services, delivered individually or as part of an integrated program.
Neural Machine Translation
We provide production-grade NMT in over 150 languages. Engines are selected and fine-tuned per language pair and domain. Each engine is benchmarked against your existing translations so improvements are measurable and consistent.
LLM Translation & Transcreation
GPT-class and Claude-class models are applied to marketing, UX, and creative content. We ensure locale-appropriate tone, rhythm, and idiom that generic MT cannot replicate.
AI Post-Editing (MTPE / AIPE)
Choose from three quality tiers: light for internal or understanding-only content, full for publication, or transcreation for brand-facing material. We deliver precisely to the tier you select.
AI Quality Estimation
Every segment is scored, and each score is defensible. AIQE allows automatic approval of ready segments while focusing human attention where it is needed, reducing cost and accelerating turnaround.
Custom MT Engine Training
We create domain-adapted engines trained on your TMs, glossaries, and approved corpora. Ideal for organizations with large in-domain volumes, strict terminology needs, or style conventions that off-the-shelf engines cannot meet.
Prompt Engineering & LLM Fine-Tuning
We design, evaluate, and optimize multilingual prompts so your LLM products communicate effectively in every market, just as convincingly as in English.
AI-Powered TM & Terminology Cleanup
We clean legacy translation memories, enforce terminology, align bilingual corpora, and rescue years of linguistic assets from obsolescence at a fraction of traditional costs.
AI Data Services for Language Models
We handle multilingual data collection, annotation, evaluation, and RLHF. These are the essential resources your language models need to train, test, and improve responsibly in every market.
Multilingual Content Generation
We generate product descriptions, SEO copy, support articles, and campaign variants in over 70 languages simultaneously. Human-in-the-loop review ensures brand consistency and accuracy where it matters most.
GENERATIVE AI ACROSS THE CONTENT LIFECYCLE

Where AI earns its keep — and where it shouldn't

AI can assist at multiple stages of the content lifecycle, though human expertise is essential in some areas. Here is how we deploy it — and where we advise caution — across creation, translation and review
Content Creation
USE AI WHEN
You have references and style guides; you're producing repeatable formats such as product descriptions, support articles or campaign variants; you need output in several languages at once.
LEAN ON HUMANS WHEN
Content requires verified facts or specialized domain knowledge; there is legal, medical or regulatory exposure; the narrative is strategic, investor-facing or tied to brand reputation.
Translation
USE AI WHEN
Content is high-volume and low-to-medium risk; turnaround matters more than absolute polish; the source is internal, informational or structured (UI, manuals, knowledge bases).
LEAN ON HUMANS WHEN
Content is brand-facing, contractual, regulated or culturally sensitive; the language pair is low-resource; the domain is highly specialized (e.g., medical device labeling, patent claims, game dialogue).
Post-Editing & Review
USE AI WHEN
You need consistent error types caught at scale; terminology compliance must be checked across large corpora; you want fast triage of MT output quality before committing human effort.
LEAN ON HUMANS WHEN
The content will be published, filed or signed; nuance, tone or ambiguity is material; the language pair is low-resource and AI confidence is unreliable.
Post-Editing & Review

Measurable outcomes, transparent trade-offs

Efficient speed
AI pre-translation and parallel workflows dramatically reduce turnaround time. All work is delivered under the same ISO-certified project governance you would expect from any high-stakes localization program.
Predictable scale
We provide elastic capacity for product launches, campaigns, and always-on multilingual content. Support comes from 60+ in-house experts and a vetted network of over 3,000 linguists worldwide.
Documented quality
Segment-level quality estimation with structured QA reports and certified senior reviewers provide measurable outcomes.
Security ensured
We offer private, enterprise-grade deployments and zero-retention options for sensitive content. Your IP and customer data remain fully under your control.
EVIDENCE, NOT ASSERTION

How we measure what we deliver

Quality is only a claim until it is measured. Every AI-accelerated project at LocaTran is evaluated using the same four-layer methodology. This ensures that you know exactly what you are getting, and so do we.

A four-layer evaluation model

We benchmark MT output against your reference translations before, during, and after delivery. Our approach combines automated metrics with expert human evaluation. Every claim in our quotes is supported by measurable data.

Before the engagement:

We run a blind benchmark on your real content to compare engines, tiers, and expected quality. You can see the evidence before you commit.
AUTOMATED
BLEU & chrF
Reference-based metrics for baseline engine comparison and regression testing.
NEURAL
NEURAL
Neural quality estimation that correlates more closely with human judgment than classical metrics.
OPERATIONAL
Edit Distance
We measure post-editing effort as a direct proxy for linguist time and cost.
HUMAN
Senior Evaluation
Domain-expert linguists scoring fluency, accuracy, terminology and locale fit on MQM-aligned criteria.
THE ASIAN LANGUAGE ADVANTAGE

Asian-language expertise where it matters most

Asian languages often present challenges for machine translation; expert review improves quality. Scripts, honorifics, register, context-dependent meaning, and cultural subtext are dimensions that off-the-shelf MT engines often miss. Two decades of expertise help address these challenges effectively.

Native mastery

of Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu and more.

Certified senior reviewers

with deep domain expertise in each Asia-Pacific market.

Custom MT tuning

for East Asian language pairs that generic engines under-serve.

Cultural consulting

for launches, campaigns and regulated submissions across APAC.

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE

Domain expertise behind every AI-accelerated delivery

LocaTran's AI and MT solutions are battle-tested across the industries with the highest expectations for language quality.
Technology & Software
E-commerce & Retail
Manufacturing & Industrial
Life Sciences & Medical
Legal & Financial Services
Games & Entertainment
Automotive & Mobility
Government & Institutional
WHY LOCATRAN FOR AI & MT

Technology you can trust. Linguists you can rely on

We stand apart in combining AI with a culture of linguistic craftsmanship. This is especially true for Asian languages, where nuance and context are decisive.
Two decades of localization heritage
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Shanghai, LocaTran has served enterprise clients across technology, life sciences, manufacturing, legal, finance, and more. We have navigated every major shift in language technology.
Unmatched Asian-language depth
We offer native mastery of Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, and more. These are precisely the areas where MT alone typically falls short and expert human review is most valuable.
Certified quality, AI-ready
Our ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17100:2015 certified processes ensure that AI-accelerated workflows are auditable, repeatable, and enterprise-ready—even when generative models are in use.
Globally recognized leadership
LocaTran was ranked #156 in the Slator 2025 Language Service Provider Index and is consistently listed among the Top 30 LSPs in Asia-Pacific by CSA Research. These accolades reflect sustained delivery quality at scale.
A proven global talent network
We maintain a team of 60+ in-house experts and more than 3,000 vetted linguists and reviewers worldwide. This human layer turns AI outputs into production-ready content.
Tool-agnostic, integration-friendly
We work within the tools you already use, including Trados, memoQ, XTM, Phrase, Smartcat, Memsource, Lokalise, and GitHub. We also integrate with your CMS, PIM, and DevOps pipelines to support continuous localization.
SECURITY & RESPONSIBLE AI

Enterprise-grade AI, accountable by design

Speed and scale matter — but only when your content, your IP and your customers' data stay protected. Responsible AI is not a marketing claim at LocaTran. It is an operating standard.
Private, enterprise-grade deployments
Your content never leaves secure private environments. We offer private model deployments, zero-retention configurations, and clear contractual guarantees to protect every piece of source material.
Zero-retention mode available
Data residency & governance
We follow NDAs, role-based access, encrypted transfers, and ISO-aligned information security practices. For clients in mainland China and other regulated markets, we provide in-country data residency to meet compliance requirements.
PRC data residency option
Ethical AI, human accountability
We monitor bias, select engines transparently, and maintain explicit human accountability for all published output. AI accelerates the work, but people stand behind the result.
Human-in-the-loop by default
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AI & Machine Translation, answered

Will AI translation replace human translators?
No. AI significantly assists translation and handles well-defined, high-volume content in appropriate contexts, but it still faces challenges with cultural nuance, creative transcreation, regulated domains, and low-resource languages. LocaTran's position is that AI and human linguists are complementary: AI produces the first draft and handles the initial workload; expert reviewers ensure accuracy, tone, and compliance. The role of the linguist evolves over time.
What is the difference between NMT and LLM-based translation?
Neural machine translation engines (Google, DeepL, Microsoft, Amazon, domain-trained systems) are specialized for translation at industrial scale and cost. Large language models (the GPT and Claude families, among others) produce more fluent, context-aware text and are effective at tasks such as post-editing, transcreation, and multilingual content generation. In most production workflows, a hybrid of NMT plus LLM-driven refinement provides a balanced combination of quality and efficiency.
How do you guarantee quality when AI is part of the workflow?
Three mechanisms work together. First, AI Quality Estimation scores every segment and routes anything below threshold to human reviewers. Second, senior linguists and certified reviewers validate high-stakes content. Third, ISO-certified QA procedures govern the entire process, with auditable issue logs and severity-tiered error categorization. You can review the evaluation metrics, not just the result.
Is it safe to send confidential content through AI translation?
Yes, when the right controls are in place. LocaTran uses private, enterprise-grade deployments with no training on customer data, signed NDAs, role-based access, and zero-retention options for sensitive workloads. Confidential client content is not sent to free or public LLM endpoints. For clients in regulated markets including mainland China, in-region processing and data residency options are available.
Can you train a custom MT engine on our content?
Yes. We train domain-adapted engines on your translation memories, glossaries, and approved corpora. Custom engines are effective for organizations with large volumes of in-domain content, strict terminology requirements, or style conventions that off-the-shelf engines cannot capture. Engines are retrained regularly to improve performance as content evolves.
Which CAT tools and TMS platforms do you integrate with?
All major ones. We work inside Trados, memoQ, XTM, Phrase (Memsource), Smartcat, Lokalise, Crowdin, Wordbee, and others. We also integrate with content and product systems — WordPress, Drupal, Contentful, Sitecore, Salesforce Commerce, GitHub, GitLab — to support continuous localization workflows.
Which languages do you support?
150+ languages, with particular coverage in Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Hindi, and other Asian languages, plus major European languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
How much does AI-powered translation actually save?
It depends on the language pair, content type, and the quality tier you need. Cost savings are greater on high-volume, structurally predictable content, and smaller (or absent) on brand-facing or regulated content where human work remains essential. Rather than quoting an industry average, we run a benchmark on a sample of your real content, using BLEU, COMET, edit-distance, and human evaluation, to show specific savings, turnaround, and quality profile before you commit.
How do we get started?
Share a sample of your content with us. Within two business days, we return an engine benchmark, a recommended workflow tier (light post-editing, full post-editing, publishable quality, or transcreation), and a transparent cost and timeline estimate. No obligation.
READY TO SCALE GLOBALLY?

Let's design the right AI translation workflow for your content.

Request a benchmarking assessment. We'll evaluate your content, recommend the optimal AI + Human pipeline, and illustrate achievable cost, speed, and quality based on your actual material.
Contact Us