Re: Language Translation

by "China Net" <szcam(at)pub.sz.jsinfo.net>

 Date:  Fri, 9 Mar 2001 15:19:03 +0800
 To:  "Jim Schneider" <jim(at)sourdoughjim.com>
 Cc:  "HWG Techniques List" <hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org>
 References:  norton
  todo: View Thread, Original
Jim,
    I have tried any translation service I could lay my hands on, So far
using auto translation has been a definite no for a professional website. I
would love one to work as it would save me a fortune in time and money on
sites. We do use these services to assist our translator especially if the
subject is a thorny one and we are not sure the exact meaning. Using the
translators gives us a better idea of the meaning usually and then we can
translate it into correct language syntax.

Unfortunately there is no way unless the initial document is perfect in it's
syntax and structure and does not contain any technical language that
current technology can handle the billions of possible language uses. Apart
from that being a brit the software services tend to American language
syntax and spelling because that is where most of the software is written.

Living in China it is amazing the different uses of English language
translation. Commonly referred to as chinglish
such as an argument with a client whom insisted that a page should be called
:

The bored chairman speaks   (because that is what their autotranslation
software told them)

instead of:

The chairman of the board's speech

fortunately I won the argument.



Mark Bolton
Boltonmedia Consulting and Internet Services.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Schneider" <jim(at)sourdoughjim.com>
To: "China Net" <szcam(at)pub.sz.jsinfo.net>
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 10:13 AM
Subject: Re: Language Translation


> Have you tried anyone other than Altavista? I've been looking at the
> Intertran service from, I think, SysTran software.
>
>

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