Translating Literature Using Machine Translation: Is It Really Possible?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review research regarding the possibilities of using machine translation in order to translate literary texts. Based on previous research, the paper will look at problems that were identified, related to the lexical, structural and pragmatic levels, analysing reasons for these errors. The paper will draw a comparison between machine translation and human translation in terms of cognitive understanding and accuracy of interpretation of literary texts. Features of literary texts will also be taken into account in order to draw the appropriate conclusions of human and machine translator possibilities of understanding these texts.