Automated Translation – Here Are the Options…

According to W3Techs, 51.5 percent of websites are in English. This means that the other half of the internet would be inaccessible to people who do not understand English.

As a business looking to expand internationally, you know you would have to do something about it.

To reach this vast number of audiences, you need to speak their language.

Automated Translation – A Viable Choice?

We all know how funny automated translations can get. However, with advances in machine learning, automated translation has seen some great improvements.

Although the need for human translators isn’t going to get diminished anytime soon, there are ways in which automated translators can streamline the translation process.

Options for Automated Translation

Let’s take a look at some commonly automated translators:

Google Translate

Apart from the search landscape, there is another area where Google thrives big time: Translation.

Supporting more than 90 different languages and catering to a whopping 200 million daily active users, Google provides incredible translation services. Its translator works with browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, etc.

However, there are still flaws in Google Translate. For instance, its algorithms use machine analysis and that does not cater to some grammatical rules.

Bing Translator

Although not as impactful as Google Translate, Bing Translator by Microsoft can translate web pages and documents in dozens of languages.

It also allows users to vote a particular translation in terms of accuracy. With text recognition features, its Windows phone app can translate the unfamiliar text for users.

WordLens

Developed by Quest Visual, WordLens was recently acquired by Google.  WordLens became quite popular in 2010 when its app allowed users to carry out real-time, camera-based translations.

Since Google acquired it, the app is now free and available for both Android and iOS users.

Linguee

Linguee is a translation dictionary that provides meanings and contextual translation of foreign texts.

Although it does not directly translate web pages or documents, it provides an account of where the particular sentence was used and how.

The Human Touch – Why It Is So Essential

It is very clear that automatic and machine translators do not come without flaws. This is why human translator, with years of experience of studying and actually speaking the language, is so important.

As a business, looking to connect with a foreign audience, you can’t afford an automated translator making mistakes. You need to hire a real person with knowledge and experience of the culture in which you are looking to market.

5 Continents is a team of linguists and polyglots who have experience in understanding and speaking foreign languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, French, Korean, Turkish and Russian among others. We provide translation and localization services to these countries. Our content and digital marketing services help you make a mark in the foreign lands.

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