Current Status and Theoretical Research on AI-assisted Foreign Trade English Translation

Abstract

The current application of AI-assisted translation in this sector remains subject to numerous theoretical and practical controversies. Issues such as technological adaptability, the validity of cultural transcoding, and the absence of ethical norms have yet to be systematically resolved. Against the backdrop of the profound integration of global trade and the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has precipitated transformative changes in the field of Foreign Trade English translation, whilst simultaneously triggering numerous theoretical controversies. This study focuses on AI-assisted Foreign Trade English translation, employing a purely theoretical analysis to systematically review the foundational literature, deconstruct the core mechanisms of the technology, analyse the adaptability characteristics of its application, and explore current theoretical dilemmas. The research reveals that the core mechanism of AI-assisted translation in this domain represents a fusion of technological logic and linguistic logic. Its technological adaptability encompasses three dimensions: domain segmentation, rigour, and cross-cultural capability. However, current applications face three major theoretical dilemmas: the deficiency of cultural transcoding, the dissolution of translator agency, and the presence of algorithmic bias. This study constructs a theoretical analytical framework for AI-assisted Foreign Trade English translation, providing a theoretical underpinning for the deep integration of technology and trade translation, thereby addressing the deficit of theoretical analysis in existing research. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in constructing an analytical framework for AI-assisted Foreign Trade English translation and clarifying the internal logic of the tech-language fusion.