Free Language Translator:
Pros and Cons
Let me be clear from the start: By free language translator, I mean any online translation tool that one can use for free to get translations. I won't touch on the topic of human professional translators that occasionally offer their services for free. Nor will I talk about volunteer translators that participate in crowdsourced translation projects.
Free language translation is a hot topic that's been on minds of professionals in the translation industry for some time now.
There has been much uproar and criticism about an ill turn free online language translators have done and can do professional translators. As a professional translator, I have not skirted around this issue either and expressed my views in detail elsewhere on this website. For those of you who are interested in this topic, here is a summary of my thoughts:
- Free online translators produce output of the less-than-perfect quality in the majority of language pairs.
- A free online translator is just a tool. It is neither good nor bad. If you use it properly and remember about its limitations, it can be helpful.
- Never use free online language translators to translate materials mistranslation of which could have legal consequences for you or threaten your company's good name.
What is YOUR attitude
to free language translators?
Well, enough about my views. What about yours? Have you used a free language translator? Are you satisfied or disappointed with it?
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_____________________________________________________________________ Website owner: Irina Lychak, self-employed freelance linguist, Russian translator, Ukrainian translator, Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine
