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Article · Dibon Journal of Languages · September 30, 2025

Comparative Analysis of Literary Translation Using Artificial Intelligence: An Experiment Based on E. A. Poe's Short Story “The Tell-Tale Heart”

Ainur Iskakbayeva, A. Tussupova, Akshay Zhalalova, Zhanna Uzbekova

Ainur Iskakbayeva
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Abstract

The article explores the possibilities and limitations of using artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of literary translation. The object of analysis is Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Tell-Tale Heart.” The study aims to compare translations produced by a neural language model (ChatGPT) with those completed by a professional human translator, focusing on how readers perceive stylistic fidelity and pragmatic adequacy. An experimental design was applied in which participants evaluated selected passages from the story using a Likert scale across several criteria, including accuracy of meaning, stylistic adequacy, emotional impact, syntactic expressiveness, and overall readability. Quantitative results indicated that AI-generated translations generally achieved acceptable accuracy but often lacked stylistic richness and emotional nuance, particularly in highly expressive passages. In contrast, the professional translation was rated higher in terms of pragmatic fidelity, rhythm, and expressiveness. Qualitative feedback highlighted generational differences in perception, with younger readers showing greater tolerance for literalness in AI outputs. The findings suggest that while AI can serve as a useful tool in preliminary translation, human expertise remains essential for capturing the artistic and pragmatic depth of literary texts.

Translation Studies and PracticesNatural Language Processing TechniquesAuthorship Attribution and Profilingliterary translationAI translationChatGPT

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