A Comparative Study of Human vs. Generative AI Translation of English Poetry into Arabic: Assessing Stylistic Fidelity and Creative Nuance

Authors

  • Fadia Al-Hashmi Al-Massri Department of English, Higher Institute of science and Technology, Gharyan, Libya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65417/ljere.v2i1.84

Keywords:

poetic translation, generative artificial intelligence, stylistic fidelity, creative nuance, English-Arabic translation

Abstract

This study compares the quality of translating English poetry into Arabic by human translators versus generative AI models such as GPT-4 and Google Bard. Employing a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology, it examines translations of four renowned English poems (by Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, and T. S. Eliot) produced by professional human translators and AI tools. The analysis evaluates stylistic fidelity (rhythm, poetic imagery, and metaphors) and creative nuance (preservation of emotional and cultural depth). Findings reveal that human translations outperform AI in conveying creative nuance by 72%, while AI excels in speed and literal accuracy but struggles with cultural contexts. The study recommends integrating both approaches to improve literary translation quality.

References

1. Al Qasimi, A. (2024). Al dhakā’ al isti‘nā‘ī wa l tarjama [Artificial intelligence and translation]. Majallat al Dirāsāt al Adabiyya, 12(1), 112–130.

2. Al Sammān, G. (1990). Shu‘arā’ Amrīkīyūn [American poets]. Dār Nawfal.

3. Almaktary, A. (2020). Reflections on translating poetry. Journal of English Studies in Arabia Felix, 1(1), 1–20.

4. Anani, M. (1980). Dīwān Shakespeare [The poetry of Shakespeare]. Dār al Shurūq.

5. Bin Ali, M. (2022). Al tahaddiyāt al tarbawiyya fī tadrees al tarjama [Educational challenges in teaching translation]. Majallat al Jāmi‘a al Lībiyya, 10(4), 200–215.

6. Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.

7. Dewan, S. M. (2025). AI in poetry translation: Can machines capture poetic essence? International Journal of Social Science Humanity & Management Research, 4(5), 1–15.

8. House, J. (1997). Translation quality assessment: A model revisited. Gunter Narr.

9. House, J. (2015). Translation quality assessment: Past and present. Routledge.

10. Koller, W. (1979). Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft [Introduction to translation studies]. Quelle & Meyer.

11. Malmkjær, K. (2020). The Routledge handbook of translation studies and linguistics. Routledge.

12. Newmark, P. (1988). A textbook of translation. Prentice Hall.

13. Nia, S. (1975). Shu‘arā’ Injlitarā al Rūmānsiyyūn [Romantic poets of England]. Dār al Ma‘ārif.

14. Nida, E. A. (1964). Toward a science of translating. E. J. Brill.

15. Smith, J. (2023). AI in literary translation: A comparative study of human and machine translation. Translation Studies, 15(2), 45–60.

16. Tymoczko, M. (2007). Enlarging translation, empowering translators. St. Jerome.

17. Venuti, L. (2017). The translator’s invisibility: A history of translation (3rd ed.). Routledge.

18. Toral, A., & Way, A. (2018). What level of quality can neural machine translation attain on literary text? The Journal of Specialised Translation, 29, 149–170.

19. Garcia, I. (2021). Machine translation and literary texts: Assessing creativity and constraints. Perspectives, 29(4), 567–583.

20. Almaktary, A. (2019). Equivalence in translation theories: A critical evaluation. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 3(1), 1–7.

21. Nature Editorial Board. (2024). Machine translation of Chinese classical poetry: A comparison among ChatGPT, Google Translate, and DeepL Translator. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Article 3363.

22. Teachers’ and students’ perspectives towards AI translation tools. (2024). Norsud, 23, 1–25.

23. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) translation tools: Implications for English language teaching. (2025). International Journal of TESOL and Education, 5(1), 50–70.

24. Rabha Hassan Hamed, & Ameen O. Saleh Almanafi. (2026). Error Correction Techniques in University-Level English Language Teaching: A Review of Strategies and Pedagogical Implications. Journal of Libyan Academy Bani Walid, 2(1), 593–603. Retrieved from https://journals.labjournal.ly/index.php/Jlabw/article/view/435

Downloads

Published

2026-02-05

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Fadia Al-Hashmi Al-Massri. (2026). A Comparative Study of Human vs. Generative AI Translation of English Poetry into Arabic: Assessing Stylistic Fidelity and Creative Nuance. Libyan Journal of Educational Research and E-Learning (LJERE), 2(1), 260-278. https://doi.org/10.65417/ljere.v2i1.84