|
|
|
Public dangerously misled by online translation services
 |
Datum nieuwsfeit: 20-09-2007 |
|
|
| Scroll de pagina (druk op een toets of muisknop om het scrollen te stoppen) |
Public dangerously misled by online translation services
BUNNIK, 20070920 -- Following in the footsteps of Google, Yahoo and others, Microsoft has also introduced a free online translation service. Translation agency L&L see the increasing emergence of such translation services as worrisome. The often simplistic launch of these translation tools leads one to believe that computers are capable of quickly producing accurate translations. Nothing is (further form the truth? less true. Translating is a specialism that entails a lot more than stringing words together.
It's ever so handy: enter a few sentences and a few seconds later the free translation appears on the screen. The results are often hilarious and not always well-received by business partners.
L&L decided to have a go at it. The results were lots of fun and produced the following linguistic jewels:
Vertalen is een vak
Is translate a profession
Bedankt voor de bloemen
Thanks for flowers
Dat kan toch niet de bedoeling zijn
That cannot nevertheless be the intention
Hardlopers zijn doodlopers
Runners are cursors*
*Correct translation: Haste trips over its own heels
You don't have to know a lot of Dutch and English to see that the translations are pretty bad and in some cases flat out wrong. What if one did this with Japanese? Or Korean? Do entrepreneurs really want to jeopardize their relationship with important customers and possibly miss out on a million dollar order, all because of an incomprehensible, free online translation? Or is it better to play it safe and use an 'old-fashioned' translation agency?
Bert Bourgonje, Director of L&L: 'With 25 years of experience translating technical documentation, software and websites, L&L are such an "old-fashioned" translation agency. Our translations are high quality and are always done by professional and specialised translators with a university degree in translation. We also use advanced translation and terminology software to support the translation process.'
L&L are not afraid of competition from free online translation services. However, they are worried that these services will damage the translation sector's image because they create the impression that translation is easy-peasy: a computer can do it within a few seconds AND for free!
Bert Bourgonje: 'For years, the translation sector has been fighting against the preconception that translating is not a true specialism and that everyone who speaks a language at a secondary-school level is able to translate. This preconception is strengthened by the fact that the translation profession is not protected. Everyone is allowed to call themselves a translator, which has innumerable consequences for professional translators. The phenomenon of free online translation services and in particular the quality that they are currently offering doesn't make it easy for serious professional translation agencies to do away with that preconception.'
L&L are surprised, though, that companies are offering free services in a specialised sector that they are not even represented in. Bourgonje: 'Do you see translation agencies offering free car repairs? Or being offered a free visit to the doctor if a translation has more than 5,000 words? What was that old saying? Cobbler, stick to thy last!'
About L&L Languages & Localization:
L&L are an international text-writing and translation agency with headquarters in the Netherlands (Bunnik). As one of the first ISO-certified translation agencies, L&L advises organizations through the entire writing and translation process of technical texts and software in some thirty-five languages. Among others, L&L works for companies such as Furuno Electric, Unit 4 Agresso, Hewlett-Packard, Euro RSCG 4D, Siemens, Sony, Trinicom, Asentus, Infor, IEX, Capgemini and large automobile manufacturers such as Ford and Seat.
For more information, contact Bert Bourgonje: 030-6592213 (bbourgonje@landl.com), or go to the L&L website at: www.LandL.com
Noot voor redacties |
|
 |
Dit is een bericht uit het Nieuwsbank persberichtenarchief. Gegevens in
dit bericht kunnen verouderd zijn. Overname is toegestaan onder
voorwaarden.
Eventueel in dit bericht vermelde (e-mail) adressen en telefoonnummers
zijn uitsluitend bedoeld voor journalisten.
Terug naar boven
|
|
