“Machine translation has long been treated mainly as an applied field, but no more! Bringing a fresh perspective, Asscher carefully unpacks the role that this technology can play in informing contemporary translation theory, and in so doing, he re-examines what it means to translate.” Professor Lynne Bowker, Université Laval, Canada“When so much translation involves technological assistance, often involving machine translation (MT), it is jarring that MT is rarely mentioned in translation theory. This makes Omri Asscher’s book particularly welcome, testing whether theories of translation, such as Descriptive Translation Studies and Skopos theory, may be applied to the work of machines, logically moving through the aesthetic, ethical, and communicative dimensions of MT. Asscher’s argument for a commonality between translation source texts and artificial intelligence (AI) training data as reference points, even as generative AI output becomes unmoored from both, may well chart a way forward for the place of translation theory when conceptualising multilingual generative AI. Accessible, highly readable, and meticulously referenced, Machine Translation and Translation Theory is a timely and important contribution.”Professor Joss Moorkens, Dublin City University, Ireland"The emergence of Neural Machine Translation, and, more recently, the proliferation of generative AI tools have altered not only the workflow of translators but also the very ontology of translation as a human-centred act. Omri Asscher’s Machine Translation and Translation Theory addresses this paradigm shift with admirable clarity and scholarly depth. […] [He] draws on an impressive command of both the theoretical and ethical discourses of translation, blending conceptual sophistication with empirical insight. […] [The book] succeeds in bridging disciplinary divides between linguistics, computer science, communication, and Translation Studies. It offers both a lucid introduction for students and a sophisticated theoretical provocation for early-stage and established researchers. Its implications reach far beyond Translation Studies narrowly conceived, engaging with larger philosophical questions about language, cognition, creativity, and the ethics of automation. […] In a world where machines increasingly write, translate, and interpret for us, Machine Translation and Translation Theory stands as a timely and incisive contribution. It challenges scholars and practitioners alike to rethink what translation means, who or what performs it, and how we might continue to theorize it without recourse to comforting humanist certainties.”Alexandra Ludewig, Target, International Journal of Translation Studies"The volume’s principal contribution lies in its robust theoretical methodology. Asscher systematically positions automated translation within established paradigms of human-centered translation studies, deliberately avoiding the simplistic “human versus machine translation” dichotomy that pervades many contemporary studies. His alternative “human and machine translation” framework successfully acknowledges both the convergences and divergences between these agents and offers a more nuanced understanding of their relationship. […]Overall, Machine Translation and Translation Theory stands out as a significant contribution to translation theory. Through clear and precise writing, supported by well-grounded reasoning, Asscher convincingly positions machine translation as a full-fledged translational, ethical and historical agent while still maintaining the human element as the primary frame of reference. This volume deserves recognition as an essential reading for scholars interested in rethinking the theoretical implications of our technological present.”Rita Gramellini, Dive-In: An International Journal on Diversity and Inclusion“The first book-length treatment of its kind [...] Asscher enters this new and contested terrain with ambition and vision. [...] the core value of Machine Translation and Translation Theory lies in its sophisticated integration of MT into the theoretical and conceptual apparatus of Translation Studies. It advances a field of inquiry well worth exploring and opens up a space for more fruitful dialogues between theorists, scientists, and practitioners. Basing his conclusions on in-depth theoretical analysis, the author puts forward many arguments that are convincing and thought-provoking. In doing so, he demonstrates a broad interdisciplinary vision and genuine theoretical innovation. Furthermore, Asscher’s prose is highly accessible, making complicated theoretical intersections clear for a broad audience. […] Machine Translation and Translation Theory is a landmark contribution to Translation Studies. Theoretically grounded and practically relevant, this book will be of great interest to scholars and students in translation, as well as computer scientists and AI developers. It will spark many debates and shape the future of Translation Studies.”Hong Diao, Translation Review
