Wanneng Wu
1Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224002, Jiangsu, China.
2Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
*Corresponding author: Wanneng Wu
Abstract
With the advancement of generative AI, tools like ChatGPT are increasingly used in literary translation. This paper analyzes ChatGPT’s translation of Chinese literary texts through case studies, exploring its auxiliary role in enhancing efficiency and handling specific structures, while examining its limitations in conveying literariness, culture-loaded terms, and stylistic consistency. Findings indicate ChatGPT acts as an “aid rather than a dominant force” in literary translation; it supports basic text processing but shows deficiencies in cultural depth and aes-thetic expression. Based on the International Federation of Translators’ hu-man-machine collaboration concept and Yan Fu’s “Faithfulness, Expressiveness, and Elegance” standard, this paper proposes a “technology-humanities collaborative translation” model, emphasizing the irreplaceability of human translators. The article discusses the necessity for translators to adapt, highlighting prompt engineering and post-editing as essential skills. The future of literary translation lies in deeper “human-machine collaboration,” where translators use AI to extend their capabilities while upholding humanistic spirit.
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How to cite this paper
Exploring the Auxiliary Role and Limitations of AI Translation Tools in Chinese Literary Translation: A Focus on the Analysis of ChatGPT-generated Translations
How to cite this paper: Wanneng Wu. (2025). Exploring the Auxiliary Role and Limitations of AI Translation Tools in Chinese Literary Translation: A Focus on the Analysis of ChatGPT-generated Translations. Translation and Foreign Language Learning, 1(3), 559-563.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/tfll.2025.10.028