Quick question onTranslation software

[Gerald]

What's up Guys???

What is the best translation software to use for english to spanish and english to portugese.  It seems that when I translate my letters to portugese and then I take the translated text and translate back to english the letter is now difficult to read. Any ideas.

[DallasTexas]

... in response to Quick question onTranslation software, posted by Gerald on Jun 25, 2001

I tried all of the free internet translation sites and got very different results. I finally purchased this for $30 and it seems by far to do the best job

http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_Main.Entry?SP=10007&SID=28102&CID=30905&DSP=0&CUR=840&CACHE_ID=30905

This link is off of the Alta Vista free translation site.

http://world.altavista.com/tr

[denvermike]

... in response to Quick question onTranslation software, posted by Gerald on Jun 25, 2001

Hi,

Translation software is imperfect at best.  But I have found it to be very useful and time saving. Even thought I speak Spanish fairly well and I have studied it since high school, I find the software a real time saver. It spells the words correctly with all the accent marks in the right place.  When it comes up with gibberish, I correct it.

When I'm writtig for translation, I write differently.  I write very simply with no slang.  I pick words that don't have so many multiple meanings. Use simple sentence structure, noun, verb, adjective. Doing this the translation will write effectively but not perfectly.  However, the ladies will always understand.  Your translations will not be sophisticated language but very understandable, plus you might learn some more of the lanugage too.

I also use the software to prepare for phone calls at times.  If there is something I really want to say, I take the translation and read to her word for word. Sometimes I will prepare two, or three, or four paragraphs in advance so the phone call can go very smoothly.

Translations back and forth will never make any sense, but don't let that deter you from using this useful tool.

Just some suggetions,

mike

[Houndog]

... in response to Re: Quick question onTranslation softwar..., posted by denvermike on Jun 25, 2001

Keep it simple, write carefully, no slang, short sentences, translate often (1-3 setences)go slowly and the programs do a decent job. They do require some practice to find their 'sweet spot'.

HD

[Patrick]

... in response to Quick question onTranslation software, posted by Gerald on Jun 25, 2001

I've used some translation software in interactive mode that worked pretty well but if you don't know both langauges, you can't use interactive mode.  Software translation is still quite limited in it's ability to accurately translate.  Some short sentences may translate quite well, but in a document (or letter) of any length, you're going to see a lot of gibberish.

I would highly recommend enrolling in classes to start studying.  Achieving any degree of fluency in a language takes a lot of effort and the sooner you get started, the better.

[Gerald]

... in response to You have to know at least some of the la..., posted by Patrick on Jun 25, 2001

Patrick

Thanks for the information. Here is the question, I am going to target the Brazilian ladies.  As you know the language there is Portugese.  Do I send two copies of a letter meaning a handwritten copy and a typed copy that has been translated???  Or do I wait to learn the language there which could take some time before I start any type of correspondence?

[Patrick]

... in response to Another question Patrick, posted by Gerald on Jun 25, 2001

I don't think you need to wait to learn the language, but you should definitely be studying it as you go.  With translations, you can at least be sure the lady will be able to read the letters you send.  I would look for classes in a junior college in your area.  I was studying Spanish for a while before I started classes, but I didn't learn much that way compared to what I learned in the structured environment of a class room with a native speaker.