Are Computers as Good at Translating Foreign Languages as Humans?
From the time the first computer was invented, people have been trying to build in translation capabilities. A world where there was no longer a barrier would look much different. One could speak with others around the world without needing expensive translation agency services. Computer programs have fallen very short in this area. Lots of people are asking why this is true.
Languages
Languages by their very character have got elaborate constructions. Any individual who may have attempted to understand a foreign language is perfectly conscious that it is not only a question of understanding the words that comprise the language. Words need to be put together into phrases and sentences. Numerous words can't be directly converted into a different language, and the same thing is applicable to sentences. Understanding the meanings of particular words is tough enough, and the issue is compounded through the requirement to construct the words into a proper sentence.
Context
The same word can have many different meanings, and the meaning is dependent on the whole sentence and the context in which it is used. This is a particularly difficult thing for computer programmers to cope with. The problem is especially acute with languages, like English, that are rich in colloquial syntax and in slang terms. The result is that programs often generate translations that are confusing and even meaningless. The problem is made worse when you take into account that words in a language may have a different meaning when used in a different country that speaks the same language. As an example, the word "billion" refers to a different number in the U.S., where it is a 1 followed by nine zeros, than it does in the U.K., where it is a 1 followed by 12 zeros. Imagine the difficulties a business could face if it used that word, and the reader took the wrong meaning from it.
Translation Purposes
Are we to understand that all translation services that are computer based without any use? Surely not! Nevertheless, we must remember that the purpose for which the translation is used must be considered prior to deciding if a computer translation will do.
Personal or Casual
Use A web-based translation application could be acceptable should you be translating an internet page or perhaps a file simply to have some notion of what the material is stating. You may use free websites such as Google's Translator. The translated wording is not likely to be wonderful, but it will frequently be sufficiently good to let you grasp the meaning.
Business
When the translation is required for business purposes, merely getting an idea of what is being said is not enough. A business corresponding with customers, distributors or suppliers who speak a different language will require a level of translation accuracy that automated systems cannot deliver.
Testing
If you still need to be convinced, you should do some testing to see if computer translators provide the services you need. You can use an innocuous phrase like "please leave your valuables at the front desk" and translate it from English to French by plugging it into a translator. To get a real look at what can happen, take the translated version and reverse the order. Some translation software will have you ending up with something like, "please to leave the objects of value to the reception." While this may not be a huge departure from the meaning of the original phrase, you get a good look at what can happen. During translation, there are not always words that will retain their original meaning when translated into another language. The word "peck" for instance cannot be translated into French using a single word. What you will get is a long phrase which is more like this. "Attack with the front of the beak." This is just one example of what how translation can change the meaning.
To Conclude
Even though online translation programs are getting more accurate everyday, they are nevertheless not able to convert text from any language to a different one with total accuracy. It is possible that in the future software programs will have the capability to do that. At this time, the truth is that human interpreters are much better than computerized translators. Whenever precise translations are necessary, it is always essential to hire humans to carry out those translations. Only humans possess the skills and the expertise to translate wording to ensure the meaning and also the context remain clear.
From the time the first computer was invented, people have been trying to build in translation capabilities. A world where there was no longer a barrier would look much different. One could speak with others around the world without needing expensive translation agency services. Computer programs have fallen very short in this area. Lots of people are asking why this is true.
Languages
Languages by their very character have got elaborate constructions. Any individual who may have attempted to understand a foreign language is perfectly conscious that it is not only a question of understanding the words that comprise the language. Words need to be put together into phrases and sentences. Numerous words can't be directly converted into a different language, and the same thing is applicable to sentences. Understanding the meanings of particular words is tough enough, and the issue is compounded through the requirement to construct the words into a proper sentence.
Context
The same word can have many different meanings, and the meaning is dependent on the whole sentence and the context in which it is used. This is a particularly difficult thing for computer programmers to cope with. The problem is especially acute with languages, like English, that are rich in colloquial syntax and in slang terms. The result is that programs often generate translations that are confusing and even meaningless. The problem is made worse when you take into account that words in a language may have a different meaning when used in a different country that speaks the same language. As an example, the word "billion" refers to a different number in the U.S., where it is a 1 followed by nine zeros, than it does in the U.K., where it is a 1 followed by 12 zeros. Imagine the difficulties a business could face if it used that word, and the reader took the wrong meaning from it.
Translation Purposes
Are we to understand that all translation services that are computer based without any use? Surely not! Nevertheless, we must remember that the purpose for which the translation is used must be considered prior to deciding if a computer translation will do.
Personal or Casual
Use A web-based translation application could be acceptable should you be translating an internet page or perhaps a file simply to have some notion of what the material is stating. You may use free websites such as Google's Translator. The translated wording is not likely to be wonderful, but it will frequently be sufficiently good to let you grasp the meaning.
Business
When the translation is required for business purposes, merely getting an idea of what is being said is not enough. A business corresponding with customers, distributors or suppliers who speak a different language will require a level of translation accuracy that automated systems cannot deliver.
Testing
If you still need to be convinced, you should do some testing to see if computer translators provide the services you need. You can use an innocuous phrase like "please leave your valuables at the front desk" and translate it from English to French by plugging it into a translator. To get a real look at what can happen, take the translated version and reverse the order. Some translation software will have you ending up with something like, "please to leave the objects of value to the reception." While this may not be a huge departure from the meaning of the original phrase, you get a good look at what can happen. During translation, there are not always words that will retain their original meaning when translated into another language. The word "peck" for instance cannot be translated into French using a single word. What you will get is a long phrase which is more like this. "Attack with the front of the beak." This is just one example of what how translation can change the meaning.
To Conclude
Even though online translation programs are getting more accurate everyday, they are nevertheless not able to convert text from any language to a different one with total accuracy. It is possible that in the future software programs will have the capability to do that. At this time, the truth is that human interpreters are much better than computerized translators. Whenever precise translations are necessary, it is always essential to hire humans to carry out those translations. Only humans possess the skills and the expertise to translate wording to ensure the meaning and also the context remain clear.
About the Author:
Toledo Business provided some translation agency information. Thank you for sharing your valuable business and translation agency information and contributing to this article.
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