August 29, 2013 at 11:58Google Translate: a guide for the complete idiot
- Transfer
In fact, we have warned many times: do not use Google Translate to translate your valuable marketing materials. But once you persevere, then at least use our tips so as not to
Translated to Alconost .
About Google Translate
Google Translate is a free online tool for translating sentences, documents and websites into 71 languages. This is a statistical machine translation, during which a computer program analyzes a huge array of texts translated by people, and translates the dictionary and grammar of one language into another in digital form. The tool, launched in 2007 and saved from oblivion thanks to the protest of the world community in 2011, is one of Google's calling cards. With over 200 million monthly users from all over the world who translate words into 71 languages, Google does a lot of things right.
In addition to the basic translation tools, Google Translate also has a set of amazing features that are equally useful for noobsand pros, like searching with translation and translating from a toolbar in a browser.
That is why
However, we will postpone our
Write shorter and easier
Everyone is aware that most corporate presentations, online and offline, are overloaded with business slang, which can be considered a separate language. Forbes once posted on the site a list of 45 of the most annoying examples of this language. And if you believe the 198 comments under the post, many - including those who use it daily - can not stand business jargon.
Google Translate doesn't like him either. He can speak several of the most little-known languages of the planet and at the same time find himself at a dead end, failing to "expand the key competencies of strategic providers aimed at a significant shift in the perception of their products by consumers and the exit of their business into the forefront of innovation."
Translation from English into German: "No idea."Of course, this screenshot of Google Translate is mounted. The real translation into German was as incomprehensible as the English text.
If you want to use Google Translate, do the service for yourself and your consumers: write the source text with short simple sentences that Google can translate so that even a child can understand.
Remember: garbage inlet - garbage inlet
In its guide to automated translation for government agencies , the US General Services Administration very accurately points out that "the job of a translator is not so much in translating words as in deconstructing messages." This means that the best translations start with well-written and meaningful source texts. Avoiding jargon is not enough; you need to spell out attractive marketing messages in simple, well-written, literate texts compiled according to all the rules of your language. Unlike people translators who will try to catch your meaning, Google Translate will understand everything literally.
Moreover, as even this post shows, there are many ways to communicate with your consumers so that they do not have to eat what you want to say. Since you’re still going to use Google Translate, forget about the dialect, slang, “twitter” jargon and feed him good content.
Have a Plan B
If you want to speak French like the French, you may have to get the French themselves involved. Mon Dieu!
I know that from a translation service provider this will be biased, there can be nothing better than professionally trained live translators in reproducing the meaning of your truly obscure marketing materials of elegant reservations. But just trust us - we know what we're talking about. Proofreading and editing machine translation results can at least save you from the most awkward moments.
From a translator: I would add one more tip: “Do not use Google Translate to translate important texts.” By the way, our company has an alternative to automatic translators: the Nitro live online translation service. It’s like “Google translate”, only translations are performed by living people - professional translators. Of course, translations to Nitro are not performed instantly, but also quite quickly: from a few minutes (if the text is small and translators for your language pair are available online) to several hours.
Want to try the service? Register , write to us at [email protected], tell us a few lines about yourself, tell us your login, and we will send you a personal replenishment coupon. Coupon valid for new accounts.
About the translator
Translation of the article was done in Alconost.
Alconost localizes applications, games and sitesinto 60 languages. Native translators, linguistic testing, cloud platform with API, continuous localization, project managers 24/7, any format of string resources.
We also make advertising and training videos - for sites that sell, image, advertising, training, teasers, expliner, trailers for Google Play and the App Store.
Read more: https://alconost.com
