Exploring the Challenges of Machine Translation for English Language Learners of Tertiary Level

This research highlights the feasibility of machine translation and the challenges faced by non-native English learners when using machine translators. Learning English for non-native learners can be quite challenging, especially when studying long and complex English texts. Learners worldwide, including those in Bangladesh, are utilizing AI-based machine translators. These machine translation tools, available free of charge on the internet or through smartphone applications, serve as a means to facilitate their learning. Currently, most tertiary-level learners have smartphones with internet connectivity, providing access to online machine translation tools like Google Translation anytime and anywhere. This study aimed to identify the major challenges of machine translation in learning English. Using a descriptive technique, the study surveyed a total of 80 students through semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that machine translation often produces numerous grammatical errors in the translation results. Additionally, words or phrases with multiple meanings can result in incorrect translations if the context is not properly understood. Idiomatic expressions and cultural references pose challenges as they can be difficult to accurately translate through machine translation, often having unique meanings that may not exist in other languages