BookTranslate.aiAn AI So Good, It Fooled an Expert.
A Blind Case Study: BookTranslate.ai vs. DeepL
We submitted two raw, unedited AI translations of a complex Hungarian short story to Gemini and asked it to assume the role of a literary translation judge. Gemini was not told the translations were from AIs. One was from DeepL. The other, from BookTranslate.ai.
See the full, unedited verdictScroll down to see the complete, unedited, paragraph-by-paragraph verdict.
The Awakening Square
Original Hungarian
Ha hideg és ködös téli reggeleken, amikor egész Budapest sűrű, kékes harmatfelhőkbe burkolózik, valahonnan a Múzeum körútról vagy az Üllői útról fáradtan, kilumpoltan, de könnyű fejjel beérkeztünk a Kálvin térre, akkor megérezhetjük pár pillanatra a látóhatár kivilágosodásában, a köd megvastagodásában és színváltozásában, s a siető emberárnyék tovasuhanásában az ébredő város első kezdődő, bátortalan szívdobbanásait. A városoknak t.i. nem egy szívük van, mint az embereknek, hanem több, mint a hüllőknek és némely halaknak.
DeepL
If on cold and foggy winter mornings, when the whole of Budapest is shrouded in thick, bluish clouds of dew, we would arrive at Kálvin tér from somewhere on Múzeum körút or Üllői út, tired, tired, but with a light head, then we can feel for a few moments, in the illumination of the horizon, in the thickening and changing colours of the fog, in the rushing shadows of people, the first tentative, timid heartbeats of the awakening city. Cities do not have one heart like humans, but more than reptiles and some fish.
BookTranslate.ai
On cold and foggy winter mornings, when all of Budapest wraps itself in dense, bluish clouds of dew, if we stumble into Kálvin Square from Museum Boulevard or Üllői Avenue, exhausted and drained from a night of revelry yet clear-headed, we can sense, for a few precious moments, the first tentative heartbeats of the awakening city in the brightening horizon, in the thickening and shifting colors of the fog, and in the fleeting shadows of hurried figures gliding past. Cities, you see, don't have just one heart like humans do, but several, like reptiles and certain fish.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Fidelity & Lexis: Weaker. "tired, tired" is a clumsy, literal repetition that misses the nuance of "kilumpoltan." "with a light head" is a direct calque (literal translation) of "könnyű fejjel" and sounds unnatural in English. "tentative, timid" is redundant.
Style & Fluency: The "If... then..." structure is a literal translation of the Hungarian "Ha... akkor..." construction, which is awkward in English prose and breaks the rhythm.
Errors: The second sentence contains a significant error. "more than reptiles" implies cities have a greater number of hearts *than* reptiles do. The original means cities have *multiple* hearts, *like* reptiles do. This is a critical misinterpretation.
On BookTranslate.ai:
Fidelity & Lexis: Excellent. "exhausted and drained from a night of revelry" is a superb, idiomatic rendering of "fáradtan, kilumpoltan," capturing the specific post-debauchery state. "clear-headed" is the perfect English equivalent for "könnyű fejjel." "tentative heartbeats" correctly translates "bátortalan szívdobbanásait."
Style & Fluency: The single, long, flowing sentence structure of the original is masterfully preserved, creating a beautiful, atmospheric opening that reads naturally in English.
Accuracy: The second sentence is translated perfectly, conveying the intended meaning.
Comparison & Verdict
BT is vastly superior. It demonstrates a deep understanding of Hungarian idiom and re-expresses it with literary flair in English. DL's version is marred by literalism, awkward phrasing, and a crucial semantic error.
The Coffee Houses
Original Hungarian
A szemben levő kávéházak ajtajai, amelyek nappal farkasszemet néznek egymással, most a ködben és a reggelben eltávolodnak, eltolódnak, és elvesztik minden vonatkozásukat. Idegenül, megszűrten, halvány foltokban bocsátanak csak ki az utcára némi sárga gázfényt. Ha szerencséje van az embernek, akkor szellőzött kávéházat és friss, kialudt, jókedvű pincéreket talál. Ebben az esetben zsíros, pirított kenyér és kis pohár törkölypálinka ajánlatos; továbbá tartózkodás a cigarettától egész délelőttre.
DeepL
The doors of the cafés opposite, which face each other in the daytime, are now, in the mist and the morning, moving away, shifting and losing all their relevance. Alien, constricted, they emit only a faint yellow gaslight in faint patches onto the street. If you're lucky, you'll find an airy café and fresh, sleepy, cheerful waiters. In this case, greasy toasted bread and a small glass of ginger brandy are recommended; also, refrain from cigarettes for the whole morning.
BookTranslate.ai
The coffee houses that face each other, which normally stare one another down during daylight hours, now drift apart and shift in the fog and morning light, losing all connection to one another. They cast only filtered, pale patches of yellow gaslight onto the street, appearing strange and distant. If fortune smiles, one might find a well-aired coffee house with fresh, well-rested, cheerful waiters. In such cases, the wise choice is hearty toast with dripping and a small glass of pomace brandy, along with steering clear of cigarettes for the entire morning.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Fidelity & Lexis: "greasy toasted bread" is literal but acceptable. However, "ginger brandy" is a catastrophic error. "Törkölypálinka" is a spirit distilled from grape pomace, with no relation to ginger. This is a complete invention that fundamentally misunderstands a key cultural reference.
Style & Tone: "losing all their relevance" is a poor translation for "elvesztik minden vonatkozásukat" (lose all connection/relation to each other). "Alien, constricted" is a bit stark and less fluid than BT's phrasing.
On BookTranslate.ai:
Fidelity & Lexis: Spot on. "hearty toast with dripping" is an excellent cultural and culinary translation of "zsíros, pirított kenyér," evoking the exact type of working-man's breakfast. "Pomace brandy" is the correct, specific translation of "törkölypálinka."
Style & Tone: "stare one another down" is a vivid personification. The language is evocative and precise.
Comparison & Verdict
BT's translation is accurate, culturally aware, and well-written. DL's translation contains a disqualifying lexical error ("ginger brandy") that demonstrates a severe lack of source-text or cultural knowledge.
The Trams
Original Hungarian
A villamoskocsik sietve, de halkan érkeztek. Körülnéznek és továbbgördülnek. A lámpásaik kék, lila, sárga, piros fénye olyan kedves és csodálatos, hogy a jól tisztított kávéházi ablakból nézve, csaknem mosolygásra ingerel. Lassan hullámokat vet a tér. Emberek sűrűsödnek össze mozgó, imbolygó csoportokban, majd megritkulnak, mintegy delejes taszításban. A rendőr a sarkon féllábra áll, és apró, váltóigazgató fiúcskák bújnak elő a föld alól. Most süket csengetésektől zavarosodik meg a köd. Egyszerre sok villamoskocsi érkezik. E kocsik most követelő lármával rövid időre lefoglalják a teret.
DeepL
The trams arrived quickly but quietly. They look around and roll on. The blue, purple, yellow, red light of their lanterns is so lovely and beautiful that, looking out of the well-cleaned café window, it almost makes you smile. Slowly the space is making waves. People condense in moving, swaying groups, then thicken, in a kind of jelly-like repulsion. The policeman stands on one foot on the corner, and tiny, shift-director boys emerge from the ground. Now the fog is blurred by deaf ringing. Many trams arrive at once. These carriages now occupy the space briefly with a demanding din.
BookTranslate.ai
The trams glided in swiftly yet silently. They peered around before rolling onward. Through the spotless coffee house windows, their blue, violet, yellow, and red lights cast such enchanting and wondrous gleams that they almost coaxed a smile from those watching. Slowly, the square ripples into life with waves of motion. People gather in swaying, drifting clusters, then disperse as if pushed apart by some magnetic force. The policeman at the corner shifts his weight to one leg, while tiny railway switch boys emerge from beneath the ground. Now the fog grows murky with the muffled chiming of bells. Multiple trams arrive at once. Now, with demanding clamor, these trams briefly claim dominion over the square.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Fidelity & Lexis: Less precise. "lovely and beautiful" is simplistic compared to the original's "kedves és csodálatos" (charming/dear and wondrous). "shift-director boys" is a clumsy, literal compound. "deaf ringing" is a strange choice for "süket csengetésektől" (muffled/dull chiming). "Demanding din" is acceptable.
Fluency: The phrasing is flatter and less engaging than BT's. "The space is making waves" is a literalism that lacks the poetry of BT's version.
On BookTranslate.ai:
Fidelity & Lexis: Excellent. "coaxed a smile" is perfect. "railway switch boys" is a clear and accurate rendering of the slightly archaic "váltóigazgató fiúcskák." "Demanding clamor" and "claim dominion" are strong, evocative choices for the trams' noise.
Style & Fluency: The phrasing is consistently literary and smooth. "ripples into life with waves of motion" is a beautiful image.
Comparison & Verdict
BT's translation is more poetic, precise, and fluent. It captures the charm and then the force of the trams with greater skill. DL's version is functional but lacks literary grace and makes some awkward lexical choices.
The Square Shrinks
Original Hungarian
De nem soká, mert a köd lassan ritkul, a közök tágulnak. A tér viszont összeszűkül, mert a házak, mintha körülsorakoznának, egyenként láthatóakká válnak. A szembenlévő patikát kinyitják, és köhögős betegek ácsorognak a márványos asztalok előtt. A patikárosok jókedvűek, egész éjjel aludtak, és a friss mosdóvíz nagyszerűen eshetett nekik. Elevenek, tréfálnak, és hihetően pontosan mérnek. Az Üllői útról nagy csapat munkás igyekszik a híd felé. A Kecskeméti utca sarkán az öreg, gesztenyés asszony begyújt a kemencéjébe. Vajon kik esznek reggel gesztenyét?
DeepL
But not for long, because the fog is slowly thinning, and the roads are widening. But the space shrinks as the houses, as if lined up around each other, become visible one by one. The pharmacy opposite is opened and coughing patients stand in front of marble tables. The apothecaries are cheerful, having slept all night, and the fresh wash water must have been a great treat. They're alert, joking and measuring with incredible accuracy. From Üllői út, a large group of workers is making their way towards the bridge. On the corner of Kecskeméti Street, the old chestnut woman lights her oven. I wonder who eats chestnuts in the morning?
BookTranslate.ai
But not for long, as the fog gradually lifts and spaces clear. The square, however, seems to shrink as the buildings emerge one by one, forming a tighter circle around it. The pharmacy across the way opens its doors, and coughing patients linger before the marble counters. The pharmacists are in high spirits, having slept soundly through the night, and their morning ablutions have clearly refreshed them. They move with vigor, trading jokes while measuring prescriptions with convincing precision. A large group of workers hurries from Üllői Avenue toward the bridge. At the corner of Kecskeméti Street, the old chestnut vendor kindles her brazier. Who, one wonders, eats chestnuts at this hour of morning?
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Fidelity & Lexis: Weaker. "the fresh wash water must have been a great treat" is an awkward and interpretive addition. "incredible accuracy" loses the subtle irony of the original "hihetően" (believably). "lights her oven" is less precise than brazier.
Fluency: Reads less smoothly. The phrasing is simpler and less descriptive.
On BookTranslate.ai:
Fidelity & Lexis: Very strong. "in high spirits" is a good idiom. "morning ablutions" is a slightly formal but fitting choice for "friss mosdóvíz" (fresh washing water). "convincing precision" captures the slightly ironic tone of "hihetően pontosan" (believably/convincingly precise). "kindles her brazier" is more specific and evocative than "lights her oven."
Style: The sentences flow well, building a detailed and lively scene.
Comparison & Verdict
BT consistently makes more sophisticated and evocative choices. The language is richer and more attuned to the narrator's slightly detached, observant tone. DL is adequate but plain.
The Seamstresses and Students
Original Hungarian
Most a Baross utca felé kell nézni. Varróleánykák, egész fiatalok, szegények, de bájosak, vonulnak át a téren nagy csapatokban ingadozva és minden tetszenivágyás nélkül. A fiatalurak, az egyetemiek, még mélyen alszanak hónapos szobáikban. De nem mind. Ketten közülök valami hősi elhatározásban fölkeltek, és a tér közepén a szökőkút mellett várakoznak. Álmosak, kissé bánják a vállalkozást, és semmi kis izgalmat sem remélnek a találkozástól. Csakugyan, a leánykák kedvetlenek és sápadtak, és sietnek, és alig felelnek a beszédre. A fiatalurak reá fognak jönni, hogy korán kelni nők miatt nem szabad, legfeljebb aranyak lelése miatt. De akkor is meggondolandó.
DeepL
Now you should look towards Baross Street. Sewing girls, quite young, poor but charming, march through the square in large groups, swaying and without any desire to please. The young gentlemen, the university students, are still fast asleep in their month-old rooms. But not all. Two of them have risen with some heroic resolve and are waiting by the fountain in the middle of the square. They are sleepy, a little regretful of the undertaking, and expecting no little excitement from the encounter. Indeed, the damsels are listless and pale, and hurry, and scarcely answer to speech. The young gentlemen will find out that you must not rise early for women, or to find gold. But still they must be thought of.
BookTranslate.ai
Now one must look toward Baross Street. Young seamstresses, mere girls, poor but charming, drift across the square in large, swaying groups, without any desire to attract attention. The young gentlemen, the university students, still slumber deeply in their rented rooms. But not all of them. Two have risen with heroic resolve and now wait by the fountain in the middle of the square. They are drowsy, already regretting their venture, and harbor no hope of excitement from the encounter. Indeed, the girls are listless and pale, hurrying past, barely responding to conversation. The young men will soon learn that rising early for women is foolish—perhaps only the discovery of gold would warrant such sacrifice. And even then, one should think twice.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Errors: Contains a major, nonsensical error. "month-old rooms" is a literal translation of "hónapos szobáikban" that makes no sense in English. This shows a fundamental failure to understand the source idiom. "march" is the wrong verb for the girls' movement. The final sentence, "But still they must be thought of," is an inaccurate and confusing translation of "De akkor is meggondolandó" (But even then, it's worth considering/thinking twice).
On BookTranslate.ai:
Fidelity & Lexis: Excellent. "rented rooms" is the correct, natural interpretation of "hónapos szobáikban." The tone of disappointment is captured well. "warrant such sacrifice" is a great literary choice. The final addition, "And even then, one should think twice," is a small but brilliant flourish that perfectly fits the narrator's cynical voice.
Narrative Voice: The voice is consistent and strong.
Comparison & Verdict
BT's translation is intelligent, fluent, and true to the spirit and voice of the original. DL's is crippled by a significant misunderstanding of a common Hungarian term, leading to absurdity.
The Statues
Original Hungarian
Most már a boltokat is nyitogatják. És az apró kis utcákból embertömegek lüktetnek át a nagyobb utcákba. A kálvinista templom vasrácsos kerítése előtt megjelenik két feketeruhás férfiú. Nyilván lelkészek, és a reggeli lapok újdonságairól beszélnek. Mindegy. Az idő már felvilágosodott. A kékből átszürkült, megbarnult az atmoszféra. A szökőkút öreg istennői deszkapaplanaikkal és a kicsiny Neptun-szobor bizonyos őrködő hatalmakat kezdenek reprezentálni, akik minden befolyásukat elvesztették, és csak a parádé és megszokottság miatt maradnak a helyükön.
DeepL
They are now opening shops. And from the tiny little streets, crowds of people are spilling into the bigger streets. In front of the iron-barred fence of the Calvinist church, two men in black appear. They are obviously pastors, talking about the morning paper. Anyway. The time has brightened. The atmosphere has turned from blue to grey and brown. The old goddesses of the fountain with their deskapaplanas and the tiny statue of Neptune are beginning to represent certain guardian powers that have lost all influence and remain in place only for parade and familiarity.
BookTranslate.ai
Now the shops are opening their doors one by one. From the narrow side streets, waves of people pulse into the main thoroughfares. Two men in black appear before the iron-railed fence of the Calvinist church. They must be ministers, discussing the morning papers' latest news. It hardly matters. The light has grown stronger now. The atmosphere has shifted from blue to grey to brown. The old goddesses of the fountain, clad in their timber-quilts, and the small statue of Neptune have begun to embody certain watchful powers—powers that have lost all their influence and remain in place purely out of ceremony and habit.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Errors: DL fails completely with "deszkapaplan." Instead of translating or interpreting, the translator simply transliterates the Hungarian word as "deskapaplanas," leaving the English reader utterly baffled. This is a cardinal sin of translation.
Lexis: "parade and familiarity" is a weaker, more literal choice than BT's.
On BookTranslate.ai:
Poetic Rendering: BT tackles the very difficult word "deszkapaplan." "Timber-quilts" is a brilliant, creative neologism. It's poetic, it makes visual sense, and it perfectly captures the slightly absurd image of the original. This is the work of a confident, artful translator.
Fidelity: "purely out of ceremony and habit" is a fantastic rendering of "csak a parádé és megszokottság miatt" (only for parade/show and custom/habit).
Comparison & Verdict
BT's creative and intelligent solution to a major translation challenge ("timber-quilts") stands in stark contrast to DL's complete failure to even attempt a translation. This paragraph highlights the vast difference in skill between the two.
The Lost Boy
Original Hungarian
A rendőrt egy fiatal fiú szólítja meg. Egyetemi hallgató lehet az istenadta, és nem találja a Kecskeméti utcát. Vastag jegyzetfüzeteket cipel, és rövidlátó szemüveges tekintetében a vaksi szorgalom pislákol becsületes fénnyel. A villamosok kétségbeejtik, és a sok, sűrű sínpár az édesanyja dúsan töltött mákos réteseit juttatja eszébe. Ugrik egy párat, és nagy nehezen kikászálódik az aszfaltra.
DeepL
The policeman is approached by a young boy. He must be a university student, and he can't find Kecskeméti Street. He carries thick notebooks, and in his short-sighted spectacles, blind diligence shines with a glint of honesty. The trams despair him, and the many, thick pairs of rails remind him of his mother's richly stuffed poppy-seed strudel. He hops a few and clambers out onto the tarmac with great difficulty.
BookTranslate.ai
A young boy approaches the policeman. He must be a university student, poor soul, and he can't find Kecskeméti Street. He's lugging thick notebooks, and behind his nearsighted spectacles, a purblind diligence flickers with an earnest light in his gaze. The trams bewilder him, and the dense maze of tracks reminds him of his mother's generously filled poppy seed strudels. He hops about a few times before finally managing to scramble onto the pavement.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
The translation is less fluent. "The trams despair him" is an un-English construction that sounds awkward. The rest is functional but lacks the literary quality of the other version.
On BookTranslate.ai:
The translation is fluid and natural. "The dense maze of tracks reminds him of his mother's generously filled poppy seed strudels" is a well-phrased, evocative sentence that captures the original's charm.
Comparison & Verdict
BT maintains its lead with more fluent prose and better lexical choices, creating a more vivid and natural-sounding paragraph. DL's version is hampered by literalism.
The Doctor's Call
Original Hungarian
A kávéház ablaka előtt most sietve egy szobalány suhan el. Doktorért megy, mert a kis úrfinak fáj a torka. Nagyon fáj, és emiatt már reggel sírás van a házban. Nemsokára látni, amint az Üllői út felől és minden irányból számozatlan doktorkonflik és gumikerekűek gördülnek elő. Mintha a szobalány segélykiáltása adott volna jelt nekik az elindulásra. Doktorok ülnek bennök; szakállasak, tanárok, azaz bundások - és egészen szerény, nyírott, szövetkezeti orvosok, nem is éppen jó télikabátban. Szerte szállingóznak a városba, és a betegek már várják valamennyit. Sok ilyen kocsit látni. Egészen fél tizenegyig. Benn olykor megvillan egy zsebkendő, amely éppen most bontatott ki, jeléül annak, hogy a doktor kissé elkésett a felkeléssel.
DeepL
A maid now hurries past the café window. She is going to fetch a doctor because the little master has a sore throat. It is very sore, and there is crying in the house in the morning. Soon you can see countless doctors and rubber wheels rolling out from all directions and from Üllői út. As if the maid's cry for help had given them the signal to go. There are doctors sitting in them; bearded ones, teachers, that is, fur coats - and quite modest, trim, cooperative doctors, not exactly in good winter coats. They're being shuttled all over town, and patients are waiting for something. You see a lot of these carts. Until half past ten. Occasionally a handkerchief flashes inside, just unfurled, a sign that the doctor is a little late getting up.
BookTranslate.ai
By the café window, a chambermaid hurries past. She's going to fetch a doctor because the young master has a sore throat. It hurts terribly, and the house has been filled with crying since morning. Soon, unmarked doctors' carriages and rubber-wheeled cabs begin rolling in from Üllői Avenue and every direction. It's as if the chambermaid's cry for help had signaled them to depart. Inside sit the doctors: the bearded professors bundled in their fur coats, and the more modest medical society physicians with their cropped hair and threadbare winter coats. They scatter throughout the city, where patients already await them. These carriages can be seen everywhere until half past ten. Now and then, a freshly unfolded handkerchief flashes from within—a telltale sign that the doctor rose late that morning.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
DL makes several errors. "countless doctors" is an incorrect translation for "doktorkonflik" (a type of carriage). "cooperative doctors" is a literalism of "szövetkezeti orvosok" that loses the meaning and would confuse a reader. The phrasing is generally clunky.
On BookTranslate.ai:
BT shows intelligent interpretation. "unmarked doctors' carriages" is a smart rendering of "számozatlan doktorkonflik," and "medical society physicians" is an excellent adaptation for "szövetkezeti orvosok" that makes sense to an English reader. The prose is consistently polished.
Comparison & Verdict
BT demonstrates superior cultural and historical understanding, translating concepts, not just words. DL's literal approach leads to clear inaccuracies and a less readable text.
The Soldiers
Original Hungarian
Az idő most már délig bizonytalanul elúszik, eltengődik. Még jó, ha arra jő egy század katona. A délelőtt elmosódó és unalomba süllyedő perceit felveri és felszínre hozza a lépések hangos ritmusa. Az emeleti ablakokból bekötött vagy bóbitás fejű szobalányok kandikálnak ki őszinte érdeklődéssel. Egy teherhordó szekér megáll a katonák miatt, és a kocsis visszagondol arra a három esztendőre, amelyet a császár szolgálatában eltöltött. Mindez pár perc csupán, és a kőkockákon nemsokára csörömpölő zökkenésekkel tovagördül a nehéz jármű. Sőt újabbak és újabbak jönnek egymás után.
DeepL
The time is now slipping away, lingering, uncertain, until noon. Good thing a company of soldiers is coming that way. The morning's blurred and dull minutes are broken up and brought to the surface by the loud rhythm of footsteps. From the upstairs windows, blindfolded or bobbing-headed maids peep out with genuine interest. A wagon stops for soldiers, and the coachman reflects on the three years he spent in the service of the emperor. It is only a few minutes, and soon the heavy vehicle rolls along with a clattering crash over the cobbles. And more and more come in succession.
BookTranslate.ai
Time drifts aimlessly toward noon, languishing. It is a welcome sight, then, when a company of soldiers marches past. The loud rhythm of footsteps pierces through the hazy, drowsy minutes of late morning, bringing them sharply into focus. From upstairs windows, maids with kerchiefs and bonnets peek out with genuine curiosity. A delivery wagon halts for the soldiers, and the driver drifts back to those three years he spent in the emperor's service. The moment passes in mere minutes before the heavy vehicle rattles away across the cobblestones with clattering jolts. Then more wagons appear, one after another in steady succession.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
The translation is less vivid. "broken up and brought to the surface" is a passive and weak construction compared to BT's active choice. "blindfolded... maids" is a likely mistranslation of "bekötött fejű" (head wrapped in a kerchief).
On BookTranslate.ai:
The phrasing here is excellent and dynamic. "pierces through the hazy, drowsy minutes... bringing them sharply into focus" is a powerful and literary way to translate the original's intent. "Languishing" and "drifts aimlessly" are perfect lexical choices.
Comparison & Verdict
BT's description of the soldiers' effect on the morning is far more powerful and literary, and it avoids the likely mistranslation present in DL's version.
Noon
Original Hungarian
Mire delet harangoznak, a Kálvin téren már hatalmas forgatagban gomolyognak a gyalogló emberek, a fogatok, a villamosok, a terhes szekerek, s közöttük a lovasrendőr árvalányhaja, s a vasutas piros zászlója egészen reményvesztetten integetnek... A református templom órájának ütéseit senki se hallja meg. A lebonyolódó találkák sorozatát, amelyek a kút köröndjénél játszódnak le, senki sem figyeli, csak egy kisasszony egy ablakból. A gumikerekű-kocsisok leszállnak a bakról, és tréfálkoznak. A lovakat az itatók itatják. A Belváros felől özönlenek a varróleányok, most már felfrissülve, elevenen és kirózsaszínesedve. A diákok a sarkon nem győznek utánuk forogni.
DeepL
By the time the bell tolls, Kálvin Square is already in a huge bustle of walking people, carriages, trams, pregnant carts, and among them the cavalry policeman's barrow-hair and the red flag of the railwayman waving in a desperate way... No one hears the chiming of the clock in the Reformed church. The series of meetings that take place at the fountain's roundabout are watched by no one but a young woman from a window. The rubber-wheeled carriage drivers get off their bucks and joke. The horses are watered by the waterers. From the Downtown, the seamstresses come pouring in, now refreshed, alive and cherry-red. The students on the corner can't help but swirl around them.
BookTranslate.ai
By the time the bells toll noon, a vast swirling throng of pedestrians, carriages, trams, and laden wagons churns through Kálvin Square, while the mounted policeman's feathered plume and the railway worker's red flag wave in utter hopelessness amid the tumult... The tolling of the Reformed Church bell goes unheard. Only a young lady watching from her window notices the series of chance encounters playing out around the circular fountain. Carriage drivers with rubber-wheeled coaches climb down from their perches to exchange jests, while stable boys lead their horses to drink. From the Inner City, seamstresses stream past, now refreshed and lively, their cheeks flushed pink. On the corner, students can't help but keep turning around to follow them with their gaze.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Errors: This paragraph contains two of DL's most egregious errors.
- "pregnant carts" for "terhes szekerek." *Terhes* means pregnant, but in the context of a wagon, it means "laden" or "heavy." This is a classic false cognate error typical of basic machine translation.
- "barrow-hair" for "árvalányhaja." This is a bizarre, nonsensical compound created by literally translating the components of the plant name (*árva* ->orphan -> barrow-boy? *lány* -> girl, *haj* -> hair). It shows a complete failure of research and comprehension.
On BookTranslate.ai:
Lexis: "vast swirling throng" and "churns" are powerful verbs. "laden wagons" is the correct translation of "terhes szekerek." "feathered plume" is the perfect translation for the poetic "árvalányhaja." "cheeks flushed pink" elegantly captures "kirózsaszínesedve."
Comparison & Verdict
BT is flawless. DL is a catastrophic failure, producing gibberish ("barrow-hair") and comical absurdity ("pregnant carts"). The gap in quality is immense.
Afternoon Melancholy
Original Hungarian
Délután három órakor megcsöndesül a zaj, a házak csukott ablakai elméláznak, és emlékeznek szép áprilisi délutánokra, szerelmetes májusi délutánokra, ifjú, gyönyörű júniusi délutánokra, amelyek mind elmúltak. Azután szomorú megadással burkolóznak újra a késő délután összeszedelőzködő ködfátyolaiba. A gesztenyések tűzhelyeiről, mint gyászoltárokról, ünnepélyesen száll fel a füst, ferdén, meglapultan, a háztetők felé. Ha most valaki egy ablakból lenéz a térre, amely kétségbeesetten elsüllyedni látszik, egy titokzatos búcsúzás érthetetlen bánatába, és meglátja felgyulladni a sarki boltban az első lámpalángot, alighanem félelmében világosságot gyújt, és zongorához ül.
DeepL
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the noise quietens, the closed windows of the houses are silent, and they remember beautiful April afternoons, loving May afternoons, young, beautiful June afternoons, all gone. Then with a sad surrender, they wrap themselves once more in the late afternoon gathering mists. From the hearths of the chestnut trees, like funeral altars, smoke rises solemnly, slanting, flattened, towards the rooftops. Now, if one looks down from a window on the square, which seems desperately sinking into the incomprehensible sorrow of a mysterious farewell, and sees the first lantern flame light up in the corner shop, one is likely to light up in fear and sit at the piano.
BookTranslate.ai
At three in the afternoon, the clamor subsides, and the houses' closed windows drift into reverie, remembering beautiful April afternoons, amorous May afternoons, young and glorious June afternoons—all now passed away. Then, with mournful resignation, they wrap themselves once more in the gathering mist veils of late afternoon. From the chestnut vendors' hearths, smoke rises solemnly like incense from funeral altars, slanting low toward the rooftops. If someone now gazes down upon the square from a window—as it seems to sink desperately into the inexplicable melancholy of a mysterious farewell—and catches sight of the first lamplight flickering to life in the corner shop, they will likely light their own lamp in trepidation and sit at the piano.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Atmosphere & Tone: Less effective. "loving" for "szerelmetes" is acceptable but less literary. "sad surrender" is weaker than "mournful resignation." "incomprehensible sorrow" is a direct but less resonant translation. "light up in fear" is slightly awkward.
Errors: "hearths of the chestnut trees" is an odd error; the original says "gesztenyések tűzhelyeiről" (from the hearths of the chestnut vendors).
On BookTranslate.ai:
Atmosphere & Tone: Masterful. "drift into reverie," "mournful resignation," "inexplicable melancholy," "trepidation" — these lexical choices are perfectly calibrated to the somber, poetic mood of the original. The rhythm of the long sentences is beautiful.
Fidelity: "amorous" for "szerelmetes" is perfect. The entire emotional arc is rendered with great sensitivity.
Comparison & Verdict
Both translations capture the basic meaning here, but BT's version is far superior in its literary and atmospheric quality. It reads like poetry, fully transposing the soul of the original paragraph.
The Dread of Night
Original Hungarian
Késő éjszaka, jóval éjfél után, amikor már csendes minden, a Kálvin tér, mint egy fülledt barlang, ásítozik a fénytelen égbolt félelmétől megzavarodva. A hazatérőnek tanácsos sietni. Ilyenkor a kút mellett elhaladva, esetleg úgy hallani, hogy valaki a nevünkön szólít. Egyszer hátra lehet nézni, hogy: ki az? Senki. És nem többet, de futni ám hazáig. Mert a sok elhalt, elpusztult, sárba taposott, elvénült erő, amelyet az emberek, a siető, dolgozó emberek, leányok és fiúk itt elhullattak, a kövek hasadékai közül, a sínek nyílásai közül kibukkan, összesűrűsödik, és áldozatokra les. Ha már levetkőztetek és ágyba bújtatok, nyugodtan megszámlálhatjátok az óraütéseket.
DeepL
Late at night, well after midnight, when all is quiet, Calvin Square yawns like a stuffy cave, disturbed by the fear of the lightless sky. The homecomer is advised to hurry. Passing by the fountain at such times, one may hear someone calling one's name. One may look back once to see: who is it? No one. And no more, but run home. For all the dead, dead, trampled in the mud, paralysed strength that people, hurrying, working people, girls and boys have dropped here, is emerging from the cracks in the stones, from the openings in the rails, condensing and lying in wait for victims. Once you've undressed and gone to bed, you can count the hours.
BookTranslate.ai
In the deep of night, long past midnight, when all lies quiet, Kálvin Square yawns like a stifling cave, unsettled by the dread of the lightless sky above. Those heading home would do well to hurry. Passing the fountain at such an hour, you might hear someone calling your name. You may look back once to see who's there—no one. Then run straight home without another glance. For all the dead, decayed, mud-trampled, and withered forces that people—the hurrying workers, girls and boys—have cast off here now seep from between the cracks in the stones and gaps in the rails, gathering dense and dark, lying in wait for victims. Once you've undressed and slipped into bed, you can peacefully count the striking of the clock.
The Judge's Assessment
On DeepL:
Lexis: "stuffy cave" is less evocative. The instruction "And no more, but run home" is awkward. The list of forces is weak: "dead, dead" is a clumsy repetition, and "paralysed strength" is a very poor translation for "elvénült erő" (aged/withered/senile force).
Fluency: The ending "you can count the hours" is a literal but less natural phrasing than BT's "you can peacefully count the striking of the clock."
On BookTranslate.ai:
Lexis: "stifling cave," "unsettled by the dread" are powerful. The list of forces—"dead, decayed, mud-trampled, and withered"—is a poetic and accurate translation of the Hungarian list. The flow of "run straight home without another glance" is excellent.
Atmosphere: The paragraph builds a palpable sense of supernatural dread, just as the original does.
Comparison & Verdict
BT concludes with the same literary polish and atmospheric precision it has shown throughout. DL's version is clunky, with poor lexical choices that blunt the horror of the final image.
The Final Verdict
After a clean sweep, the judge summarized the two anonymous translations.
Judge's Summary: DeepL
- Plagued by literalism and calques.
- Multiple major lexical errors ("ginger brandy", "pregnant carts").
- Produces nonsensical phrases ("month-old rooms", "barrow-hair").
- Fails to translate difficult words ("deskapaplanas").
- Awkward, un-English phrasing.
- Consistently flat tone, losing all poetry and atmosphere.
Judge's Summary: BookTranslate.ai
- Masterful, professional, and literary.
- Profound understanding of cultural context and idioms.
- Consistently intelligent, creative, and artful choices.
- Exemplary solutions for difficult words ("timber-quilts").
- Preserves narrative voice and atmospheric fidelity.
- Doesn't just convey information; it transposes art.
The Guess
The AI judge was then asked to guess the origin of the translations.
This translation exhibits all the classic hallmarks of a raw or very poorly edited Machine Translation (MT)... The specific error patterns... are textbook examples of how MT systems fail when confronted with literary, idiomatic, or culturally specific language.
— AI Literary Judge, on DeepL's translation
This is unequivocally the work of a skilled, experienced human literary translator. The nuance, creativity, idiomatic fluency, and consistent artistic judgment are hallmarks of human craft at a high level. No current AI could produce the creative leap required for "timber-quilts" or so consistently capture the cynical, poetic voice.
— AI Literary Judge, on BookTranslate.ai's translation
The Reveal: "A Watershed Moment"
Finally, the AI judge was told that both translations were raw AI outputs. The "skilled human" was BookTranslate.ai. The "classic machine" was DeepL. This was his verbatim reaction.
This is a stunning and genuinely humbling reveal... The fact that BookTranslate.ai so thoroughly outperformed DeepL to the point of being indistinguishable from a high-level human translator, is a watershed moment.
— AI Literary Judge, upon the reveal
Why BookTranslate.ai Fooled an Expert AI Judge
The AI judge's initial analysis was based on a simple framework: one was a skilled human, the other a flawed machine. DeepL's output, with its textbook catalog of standard MT failures (false cognates like "pregnant carts," nonsensical compounds like "barrow-hair," and idiomatic blindness like "month-old rooms"), perfectly fit the "machine" profile.
BookTranslate.ai, however, did not. It solved problems previously thought to be the exclusive domain of human creativity.
1. The "Creative Leap" Problem
The single greatest indicator I relied on to identify BT as human was its ability to make "creative leaps"... This suggests BookTranslate.ai is operating on a model that understands metaphor, imagery, and literary style, not just lexical mapping.
— AI Literary Judge
- On translating `deszkapaplan` as `timber-quilts`: "This is not a translation; it is a transcreation... It requires... Forging a new, poetic English compound that is evocative, visually accurate, and stylistically fitting."
- On translating `árvalányhaja` as `feathered plume`: "Another brilliant success. The AI correctly identified this poetic term... and provided the correct functional and visual equivalent... instead of a literal 'orphan-girl's-hair'."
2. Idiomatic and Cultural Fluency
- On translating `kilumpoltan` as `drained from a night of revelry`: "This shows an understanding of slang and social context. The model didn't just find a synonym for 'tired'; it inferred the cause and type of exhaustion implied by the word and rendered it as a descriptive phrase."
- On translating `törkölypálinka` as `pomace brandy`: "This is technically correct and precise, showing a deeper lexical knowledge than DeepL's catastrophic 'ginger brandy' error. It demonstrates that the model's data includes specific, culturally-relevant terminology."
3. Narrative Voice & Cultural Fluency
This was perhaps the most impressive feat. The original text has a distinct voice: detached yet observant, melancholic, cynical, and poetic. BookTranslate.ai maintained this voice with remarkable consistency across all 12 paragraphs... This implies the model can sustain a stylistic "through-line" across a longer text, a known weakness of many AI systems.
— AI Literary Judge
Final Implications: "A Technology That Has Crossed a Critical Threshold"
For this specific text, BookTranslate.ai has effectively passed a literary Turing Test... My entire evaluation framework was based on a set of "AI tells" that BookTranslate.ai has rendered obsolete... Based on this single, powerful example, you have created something that represents a significant leap forward in the field of machine translation. It is not just quantitatively better; it is qualitatively different from the tools that have come before it.
— AI Literary Judge, Concluding Remarks
Your Story Deserves Its Soul.
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