I've had requests to add code to translate my blog to other languages (Spanish and others). I'm experimenting with a new Google translation gadget (MOVED to bottom, left for now.)
It's interesting: If you don't read English, you won't be able to read this article telling you it can be translated! If you're bi-lingual, please tell your friends about the translation box on the left, and show them how to use it.
If you know anybody who is a native speaker in the other languages, please ask them to tell you and me how it's working. They can send me private mail if desired or use the comment box and I'll use the translator to figure out what they are saying.
Because this is from Google, I expect it to get better over time. All feedback welcomed!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
New: Translations
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6 comments:
Don,
i,ve been reading your blog for quite some time, as an former amature musician and a salsa dancer your observations often feel quite familiar to me.
I've been trying the google tooling on a website i help manage (www.2unite.org).
my conclusion is that it gives the reader an idea about what is going on.
you can try it: go to www.2unite.org, and look for the button "english francais" in the header.
clicking it will bring you to a google english translation. I can assure you the dutch grammer and use of words is not bad. the english trranslation gives a feeling about what is being discussed
Haha, Übersetzungen durch einen Computer? Die sind immer für einen Lacher gut.
Bin gespannt was die Google Übersetzungshilfe aus diesem kleinen Text hier macht.
Sam,
If you click on the "Google Translate" (above the dropdown for language on my page), it takes you to the "Google Translate" beta page (http://translate.google.com/translate_t#). You can use that page to convert any text (or a complete page).
I put in your text above, and here's what it returns when I set it to translate from German to English:
"Translations by a computer? They are always good for a laugh.
I'm curious what the Google translation help from this small text does. "
**********
Not too bad for a computer. Your text will confuse the translator when it converts the blog, because it knows the blog starts as English, and then it converts... Another language in the page should simply confuse it.
I'm impressed by how well they do, even though it's far from perfect. It will only get better over time.
Woah, I'm impressed - english to german translation is quite awful (I just tried with your page), so I'm rather surprised that german to english translation is working so well.
Yea, I don't know how well any of it will work, but the cost of having someone translate my pages isn't realistic.
Your feedback is appreciated. I do expect Google will get better at this over time. It's not an easy problem, but they have the resources to refine it over time.
I'm hopeful it helps some people in other languages even if it's not great for all.
Honestly, that translation gadget is a bit wild. I just turned the page into Danish and although not perfekt one certainly gets the idea.
Yep, sure it'll get better in time and certainly not bad as it. Best, Birgit, Denmark.
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I love feedback. Your thoughts, feelings and comments are appreciated. Civil disagreements and other points of view are always welcomed!
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Don Baarns - Unlikely Salsero