Advice for students regarding translation and editing tools
A range of digital applications, services and plugins, as well as most GenAI tools provide language translation and other types of editorial assistance. All of these can provide:
- A basic spelling and grammar check
- Suggestions to improve general readability
- Paraphrasing or summarising text
- Rewriting text with different styles or tones
- Translation
The purpose of this guide is to support you in understanding acceptable use of translation and editing tools in the context of academic integrity.
Translation and editing tools
Digital translation and editorial assistance tools have been available for decades and have been continuously improving in both quality and capabilities. These tools include the proofing functions in Microsoft Office, Google Translate, and applications like Grammarly. More recently, GenAI tools have integrated similar functions.
Increasingly applications are offering multiple types of technology and assistance. Examples include integration of GenAI into Grammarly and the introductions of Copilot for Microsoft Office. It is important that you maintain awareness of the technology you are using and the level of assistance it provides.
Translation, editing tools and academic integrity
A fundamental principle of maintaining academic standards is that you are expected to create and express your own ideas. There are several ways that using translation and editing tools interact with this principle.
The first is in creating your own ideas. Using these tools may change the meaning of your work even if that was not your intent. It may become unclear whether an idea is genuinely yours, whether you are demonstrating your understanding of the subject, how the idea was generated or even the sources that were being used.
The second is in how you express your ideas. Learning to do this well is an important part of developing your academic skills. Expression or language use may be a learning outcome in your subjects or course. These tools can be used to the extent that the expression is no longer your own or you gain an unfair advantage over other students who have not used these tools.
If you use a translation or editing tool where permitted, you should carefully review the output to ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning and that you fully understand the content. Ask yourself whether you could explain the ideas, arguments, or wording in your own words if asked. Translation and editing tools should support your understanding and communication, not replace your engagement with the material.
Finally, translation and editing tools are sometimes associated with other types of academic misconduct such as plagiarism. The outputs of these tools may be identified by the Turnitin detector for artificial intelligence writing. Staff may need to ask you to explain or discuss your work as part of the academic integrity checks performed across all assessments at the University.
Is it OK to use an editing or translation application to check grammar or make minor edits to work I have completed myself?
Using tools to correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, or make minor edits may be acceptable if their use is permitted by your subject coordinator, has been appropriately acknowledged, and does not change the meaning of your work.
Can I write my work in a language other than English and then use an application to translate it into English for submission?
You should only use translation and editing tools in ways that are permitted by your subject coordinator and assessment requirements.
The use of translation and editing tools may alter your work so that it no longer accurately reflects your own expression or understanding. Submitting translated or rewritten content generated by a tool as if it were your own original work is considered academic misconduct.
When is it OK to use these tools?
The limits of acceptable use of translation and editing tools might vary across disciplines, subjects and assessment tasks. Your subject coordinator may set specific rules in particular assessments, but it is your responsibility to check assessment guidelines and relevant policies, and to understand what is expected of you.
Resources on academic integrity are available through your subject’s LMS site, Academic Skills, and the Library. If you are unsure about which tools you may use, or the extent to which you may use them, speak to your subject coordinator before submitting your assignment.
The use of translation and editing tools in assessment is managed via the Student Academic Integrity Policy (MPF1310), particularly the section regarding unauthorised or undisclosed use of technology. You must follow any instructions about the use of translation and editing tools and appropriately acknowledge and disclose their use. Failure to comply with the directions provided is considered a breach of academic integrity and could result in penalties.