Where AI and Humans Speak the Language of the Future
Interview with Maximilian Lachnit, Managing Director of Transline Deutschland GmbH
AI is revolutionizing all markets across the board. The translation industry is also experiencing profound change. Nevertheless, Transline Deutschland GmbH has established itself as an innovative leader. Managing Director Maximilian Lachnit explains how the company navigates successfully through the digital era with a mix of human expertise, state-of-the-art techniques, and specialization in efficient processes.
What began over 35 years ago as a classic translation office has developed into a leading provider for comprehensive language management: Transline, based in Reutlingen, is one of Germany's largest translation service providers. Over 140 employees, including project managers, software developers, computational linguists, and translators, along with a global network of 5,000 partners, enable a service that goes beyond mere technical translations. "We are increasingly moving away from traditional translating to technical consulting," explains Maximilian Lachnit. This development is a direct response to the challenges that AI and machine translation bring.
Human and Machine: The Perfect Symbiosis
Transline relies on a flexible strategy that uses machine translation, human translation, or a combination of both, depending on the need. "Our strength lies in being able to offer the customer an optimized process," emphasizes Lachnit. The company not only advises customers on choosing the best translation method but also implements customized solutions. Transline is particularly proud of its in-house developed ERP system, which enables seamless integration of various translation technologies.
Quality and Safety in Focus
Despite technological advancements, Transline emphasizes the ongoing importance of human expertise, especially in sensitive areas such as medicine. "For a dosage instruction for a medication, there still needs to be assurance that the translation meets the highest standards," says the CEO. To ensure this quality, Transline employs rigorous selection criteria for its translators. Additionally, the company is ISO certified in areas such as quality management and data security. The CEO sees a unique selling proposition in that each customer in the company has their dedicated contact person: "This person is highly trained technically and communicates with the customer in their language – in every sense of the word," underlines Maximilian Lachnit. "That way, we can optimally accompany the customer on their journey." Looking towards the future, Transline sees itself as a consultant and process optimizer in the field of language management. At a time when machine translations are improving, the added value of the company lies in its ability to optimally combine technology and human expertise. "The know-how sits in front of the PC, not inside the PC," concludes Maximilian Lachnit. That is precisely what distinguishes the company in the current transformation.