The Anatomy of a Certified Translation

An interview with Bridget G. Hylak, CI, CT

Three days after Trump unveiled America's AI Action Plan, China responded with their own. There was just one problem: they didn't translate it at first.

Then China released the English version, but there was something strange about it — a peculiar machine translation feel. The words were there, technically correct even, but the meaning was off. The translation of the AI Action Plan required something more sophisticated than algorithms could provide. As Veronica Hylak noted in her viral AI Vlog “Hey AI”:

"And before you say it, no, I didn't trust AI to translate this document — neither would the State Department, so neither should you."

To obtain a trusty translation, Veronica turned to Bridget Hylak’s language firm whose linguists had translated for President Obama. The difference between the certified translation and the Chinese one was striking. As Veronika put it, "The certified translation provides way more cultural context and technical precision — really good for us not working in a diplomatic capacity and actually trying to understand the nuance!"

To dig deeper into what made the difference, and why it matters, Marina Pantcheva spoke with Bridget Hylak, whose firm produced the certified human translation of China’s AI Action Plan.

Marina: Bridget, what exactly was “off” about China’s official English translation of their AI Action Plan?

Bridget: The original contained properly translated segments that often just didn't work — like having all the right ingredients for a recipe but no understanding of how to best combine them for a comprehensive dish.

Think of it this way: The Chinese document presented groups of concepts, and even short lists, without any connective tissue. In their English version, these lists felt disconnected, their relationships unclear, and their implications partially lost.

Our team of certified language professionals spent three days transforming China's official English release into something genuinely comprehensible. The problem was not that the text lacked content. It all boiled down to understanding how Chinese works.

The challenge resembled constructing a wall with bricks but no mortar. Machine translation delivered solid bricks — individual phrases and sentences that were “good enough” on their own. But without the mortar to bind them together into a coherent whole, the document remained fragmented and incomplete.

Marina: How do certified translators approach these kinds of challenges differently than machines?

Bridget: A professional language team approaches machine translation output like a Master Chef examining a dish: Does it smell right? Is something off? Has something been added that strays from the original recipe? Is something essential missing?

Our UN-certified translator added crucial context that was then refined and edited by a third certified translator through days of collaboration. One linguist, particularly skilled in technical documentation, ensured those connections were not just present but highlighted and understood.

Marina: Could you share some examples of changes your team made?

Bridget: One example is ensuring proper usage of punctuation. The original English translation used a multitude of periods, which structurally represented each of those “bricks”.  But in English a period is a full stop marking the definitive completion one thought and the start of another. It’s quite remarkable in this particular case how much proper punctuation added to the cohesiveness of the translation.

Other examples of changes were:

• "Scenario" became "use case", a subtle but critical shift for tech-forward readers.

• "Real economy" expanded to "broader, productive economy", capturing the actual intent.

• Technical terms shrouded in literal translation were made more precise.

Overall, the certified translation was far more coherent and nuanced. It captured the subtleties of Chinese concepts with greater accuracy, expanded on vague expressions where needed, and delivered superior technical precision.

Marina: Why is this kind of precision so important for global AI governance?

Bridget: The certified translation achieved accuracy and precision, along with greater cultural understanding, while China's official release was diplomatic and literal.

But here's where it gets interesting, and it’s a nuance that only a professional linguist might catch: "Diplomatic" in this context doesn't necessarily mean better for diplomacy. It means consistent with the style of officially-released Chinese-to-English translations spanning centuries — a tradition that prioritizes form over function, leaving dangerous gaps for misinterpretation.

Marina: Some people may say that this is just an advanced discussion between two language nerds, a pure language debate. What’s at stake in reality?

Bridget: Communication is an intimate, three-dimensional, downright spiritual process. While AI and machine translation increasingly provide excellent skeletons — the skull, the femur, the pelvis are all there — putting hair on the head, color in the eyes, flesh on the bones, and blood in the veins remains distinctly human work.

When global powers are setting AI governance frameworks that shape our collective future, the difference between "scenario" and "use case" could influence policy decisions affecting billions.  

Marina: Can you explain for non-native speakers what's the difference between "scenario" and "use case"?

In English, a “scenario” often means a possible situation or imagined outcome, while a “use case” refers to a specific, practical application of a technology. In the context of an AI policy statement, that distinction is crucial. The text was referring specifically to applications of software products — not every possible situation. If read as “scenario,” the scope appears far broader than intended, which could lead to misinterpretation.

Marina: So, what’s the lesson learned?

Bridget: Words alone do not make a good translation. In an era where AI capabilities advance daily, the irony is that China's statement about artificial intelligence required human intelligence to be truly understood!

Our certified translation managed to bridge divides, unite perspectives, and close the spaces where misinterpretation lurks.

In the Global Village of AI governance, that's not just good translation. It's essential diplomacy.

Marina: Finally, what message would you like to leave with policymakers and the wider public?

Linguists must play a vital role in shaping the future of the planet at this very moment. That future will evolve through conversations, relationships, and connections.

As we navigate the complexities of international AI collaboration, remember: The most sophisticated technology still requires the most sophisticated translators — humans who understand not just words, but worlds.

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Bridget G. Hylak, CI, CT, is a lifelong language professional and expert member of the AI Localization Think Tank. Her team's certified translation work has served presidential administrations and shaped international understanding of critical policy documents.

For more insights on the intersection of AI and human translation, watch Veronica Hylak's analysis at this link.