There are many examples of translation and difficulties in cross-cultural communication in the press right now with the Olympics.
I found the photo below at http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2008/07/then-well-grab.html
This company sign is a fine example of why you have to be careful with online translation software.
The original Chinese characters ( 餐厅) should have translated into ‘Restaurant’.
The task of translating only two characters into one word does not seem the most difficult task for a software to do. This translation was obviously done using software, and very little human supervision, if any at all.
A simple cross reference of translating the results back into the original language would have highlighted the error.
This is a fine example of caution necessary when you use translation software to translate into a language that you do not speak.
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More On Translation Tools
- How To Use Online Translation Tools
- Over The Counter Translation Perfection Not Here Yet
- Translate Server Error
- Translation Software – It Is Time To Question Old Truths
- Translation Widgets – A Small Step Towards Website Globalization
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-- Chris Garrett, co-author of the "Problogger" book
