THE FUTURE OF TRANSLATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

In the twenty-first century, the field of translation has witnessed a remarkable transformation one deeply influenced by the rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence. Translation, once a meticulous human craft, has now become a dynamic process powered by algorithms, data, and machine learning. The ability to convey meaning across languages has grown from manual, time-intensive work to real-time, Al-assisted communication that connects diverse cultures across the world. This paper examines how digital innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Translation (MT), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are redefining global communication. These technologies have made translation faster, more cost-effective, and accessible to wider audiences. However, they also bring challenges related to linguistic accuracy, ethical responsibility, and preservation of cultural essence. The future of translation, therefore, lies in achieving a balance a hybrid model where intelligent machines support human creativity, while human translators ensure emotional resonance, cultural sensitivity, and contextual depth. In the Indian context, this evolution holds immense promise for promoting multilingualism, preserving regional languages, and fostering inclusive communication in a linguistically diverse society.