Plain Language in the Age of Neural Machine Translation: An Opportunity for Translators

Plain language writing and neural machine translation are two trends that are taking hold in the world of professional communication. Often considered independently of one another, these two trends have the potential to produce even better results when combined. This chapter explores the potential of combining plain language and NMT by comparing two types of guidelines—plain language guidelines and guidelines for writing for (machine) translation—and concludes that the two are compatible and can be usefully integrated into a single set of guidelines that can support the production of texts that are both reader- and NMT-friendly. The chapter ends by suggesting that translators are well placed to capitalise on the trends of plain language writing and NMT by incorporating plain language communication into their service offering. To better support the next generation of language professionals, opportunities to develop plain language skills must also be integrated into the translation curriculum.