The Multilingual Web
Tips for translating foreign language sites into English
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Although English continues to be the dominant language on theInternet, what can you do if you come across an interesting site inanother language? Track down free online translation resources thatyou can use in a pinch.
Many of the search engines, such as Lycos, have translation featureswhere you can either enter text for translation or a URL totranslate the contents of an entire Web page.
Additional translation resources, including translation softwareand translation aids, are listed at www.translation.net.
But before you get too excited over any digital translationtools, keep in mind that the most reliable translations tend tocome from human translators because the subtleties of language aredifficult to “program.” That means you should get someonewho knows the language to look over any automated translationsyou’ve generated, especially when translating from English intoanother language. You’d be surprised how embarrassing incorrecttranslations can be!
Aliza Sherman is an entrepreneur and author of Cybergrrl:A Woman’s Guide to the World Wide Web (Ballantine Books).She is currently working on her next book and new company.
Although English continues to be the dominant language on theInternet, what can you do if you come across an interesting site inanother language? Track down free online translation resources thatyou can use in a pinch.
Many of the search engines, such as Lycos, have translation featureswhere you can either enter text for translation or a URL totranslate the contents of an entire Web page.
Additional translation resources, including translation softwareand translation aids, are listed at www.translation.net.
But before you get too excited over any digital translationtools, keep in mind that the most reliable translations tend tocome from human translators because the subtleties of language aredifficult to “program.” That means you should get someonewho knows the language to look over any automated translationsyou’ve generated, especially when translating from English intoanother language. You’d be surprised how embarrassing incorrecttranslations can be!
Aliza Sherman is an entrepreneur and author of Cybergrrl:A Woman’s Guide to the World Wide Web (Ballantine Books).She is currently working on her next book and new company.
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