An Investigation into the role and challenges of machine translation in the process of translating texts from English into Setswana

Abstract

This study explores the role and challenges of machine translation in the process of translating texts from English into Setswana. As digital language technologies continue to expand, machine translation has become a widely used tool for facilitating communication across languages and improving access to information. Its growing use in educational, professional, and institutional contexts highlights the need to evaluate its effectiveness when applied to African languages such as Setswana. The study adopts an exploratory research design and uses a qualitative approach to analyse machine-translated texts. Data were collected and analysed using a structured template focusing on accuracy, fluency, cultural acceptability, and contextual appropriateness. This approach enabled a systematic evaluation of translation outputs and identification of recurring patterns of errors and challenges.The findings reveal that while machine translation can support basic comprehension and speed up the translation process, it struggles with linguistic accuracy, meaning transfer, grammatical correctness, vocabulary selection, and the interpretation of culturally embedded expressions. Particular challenges were observed in capturing tone, context, idiomatic language, and communicative intent, which affects the reliability and appropriateness of machine-translated texts. This research contributes to ongoing discussions in translation studies and language technology by increasing awareness of the potential and limitations of machine translation in under-resourced languages. It aims to support informed decision-making regarding the use of machine translation in English-Setswana translation and to encourage continued development of language resources and translation technologies that promote linguistic quality and cultural accuracy.