The Impact of ChatGPT on Part-Time Translators Working with the English Language: A Threat or a Complementary Tool?

Lina Zhou, Muhammad Alif Redzuan Abdullah, Syed Nurulakla Syed Abdullah and Junhua Peng

World Journal of English Language, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 103

Abstract: Since its launch on November 30, 2022, the artificial intelligence (AI) language model ChatGPT has garnered immense attention and experienced exponential growth in popularity. As one of the largest and most sophisticated models in the market, ChatGPT presents both challenges and opportunities for part-time translators, especially those working primarily with the English language. However, there exists a pervasive perception that part-time translators may face unemployment due to AI advancements. This study examines the attitudes of part-time translators toward the fear that ChatGPT will replace them and explores strategies for adapting to the AI-driven environment. Using an empirical sociological approach with mixed methods, this research finds that part-time translators view ChatGPT as a tool that can augment their capabilities and enhance job efficiency when translating into or from English. The findings suggest that AI can serve as a complement rather than a replacement, providing valuable support for less creative or repetitive translation tasks. This study provides a foundation for future research on the impact of AI on vulnerable occupations within the English language sector.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.sciedupress.com/journal/index.php/wjel/article/download/27015/17029 (application/pdf)
https://www.sciedupress.com/journal/index.php/wjel/article/view/27015 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:jfr:wjel11:v:15:y:2025:i:7:p:103

Access Statistics for this article

World Journal of English Language is currently edited by Joe Nelson

More articles in World Journal of English Language from Sciedu Press
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sciedu Press ().