Using critical posthumanist methods to navigate human translators’ roles in the AI era

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has led to increased academic inquiry into the ethical role of humans in translation activities from a posthumanist perspective. However, studies that reconceptualize translation or the translator through this lens remain limited, partly due to the marginalization of posthumanist perspectives within the predominantly human-centered discourse of AI. In this context, this article first outlines the three main branches of posthumanism—reactive posthumanism, transhumanism, and critical posthumanism—and seeks to establish preliminary connections between these branches and existing frameworks in translation studies. This foundational discussion is intended to provide essential context for readers unfamiliar with the subject, thereby enabling a deeper engagement with the subsequent analysis. This comparison highlights divergent approaches to technology and human identity. Following this introduction, the article examines perspectives from transhumanism and critical posthumanism, highlighting why critical posthumanism may become a crucial influence in future translation research. In essence, critical posthumanism encourages translators to dismantle the barriers created by self-centered individualism, to seek ways to enhance interdisciplinary or professional skills to navigate complex human-machine workflows, and to recognize the significant contributions of non-human actors as co-participants in the translation process. This study proposes the “Round Table Hypothesis,” which aims to explore the prospective roles and new responsibilities of future translators (termed ‘post-translators’) within evolving, AI-shaped translation practices. This hypothesis will also contribute to expanding the theoretical framework that future research on translator competence and training should take into consideration, particularly regarding interaction with AI. This paper posits that translators and students should adopt a critical posthumanist stance as a vital strategy for navigating present or future shifts in the translation market. This involves recognizing technology not just as a tool but as a co- evolving agent, necessitating new skills and adaptabilities. Such an approach not only helps translators adapt to technological advances but also fosters effective and ethical human-machine collaboration and requires updating training to include AI interaction strategies and interdisciplinary knowledge (e.g., computer science, marketing), thereby ensuring their competitiveness in future translation ecosystems.

生成型人工智能（AI）的迅速发展促使人们从后人文主义视角对翻译活动中 人类的伦理角色进行更多学术探讨。然而，通过这一视角重构翻译或译者概念的 研究仍十分有限，部分原因是后人文主义视角在以人为中心的人工智能话语中被 边缘化。有鉴于此，本文首先概述了后人文主义的三大分支—— 超人类主义和批判性后人文主义—— 建立初步联系。此基础性讨论旨在为不熟悉这一主题的读者提供必要的背景，从 而使他们能够更深入地参与随后的分析。这一比较凸显了不同分支在技术和人类 身份认同问题上存在的分歧路径。在引言之后，本文探讨了超人类主义和批判性 后人文主义的观点，强调为什么批判性后人文主义可能成为未来翻译研究中至关 重要的影响因素。简而言之，批判性后人文主义鼓励译者打破由自我中心的个人 主义所造成的障碍，寻求提升跨学科或专业技能的方法以驾驭复杂的人机工作流 程，并认识到非人类活动者在翻译过程中所作出的重大贡献。本研究提出了”圆 桌会议假设”，旨在探索不断演变的，由AI塑造的翻译实践中未来译者（称为” 后译者”）所扮演的角色和承担的新责任。该假设还将有助于扩展未来关于译者 能力和培训的研究应考虑的理论框架，尤其是在涉及与AI互动方面。本文认为， 译者和学生在面对翻译市场当前或未来的转变时，应采取批判性后人文主义立场 作为一项重要的导航策略。这不仅仅涉及到将技术视为工具，更要认识到其作为 共同演化行动者的角色，这必要要求新的技能与适应能力。这种方法不仅有助于 翻译人员适应技术进步，还能促进有效且合乎伦理的人机协作，并要求纳入AI互 动策略及跨学科知识（如计算机科学、市场营销等）以更新培训内容。从而确保 他们在未来翻译生态系统中的竞争力。