🚀 go-pugleaf

glenn@metis.com writes;

<...
Fully automated translation of embedded text in programs is not currently
possible; some automated translation is possible, however the quality is
not sufficient to depend on it completely.
..>

That depends entirely on what you mean by "Fully automated translation". If you
mean that you point your translation application at the program and a fully
translated application pops out the other end, then true. But, providing you
plan correctly from the beginning, there is no reason why translation shouldn't
be highly automated. The first thing not to do is have embedded text in
programs! What do you mean by "automated translation"? If you mean full machine
translation, you may debatably be correct, but otherwise you're way adrift. All
the translation we do here is automated to some extent.

<...
However, their [automated translation systems] expense (and complexity of use)
is prohibitive
..>

I couldn't disagree more. We use automated translation systems of one kind or
another for virtually all our translation. We have done studies that show that
translator productivity can be improved by between 100% and 500% depending on
material, language and the system, by the use of automated translation systems.
We use SYSTRAN for material with constrained vocabularies, such as service
manuals, ALPS for more free form material, we have a technology demonstrator
running at the moment called XOTIC, and we are presently working on a next
generation translation system.

<...
The most useful tool for localizers is a multi-lingual terminology data-
base.
..>

*A* useful tool, anyway. These are expensive, as you say, but this is because
of the effort involved in constructing them. In my experience, technological
dictionaries are very out of date.

<...
usually tuned to particular
sublanguages (e.g., medicine, aeronautics, etc.), and are often tied to
particular language pairs, e.g., (German/English, Japanese/English, etc.)
..>

Why not? Technical dictionaries are usually tied to a particular language and
field of expertise. I know computers give us the ability to extend this, but
the information costs money, and those who have built such databases are
hanging on to them.

Regards,

Hugh.
-----------------------------------------------------
Huge.wgc1@rx.xerox.com       Rank Xerox Technical Centre, WGC, UK.
         I don't speak for Xerox, nor they for me.
"Insert the bearing into the hub. This is best done on a flat surface. Light
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 (Vauxhall Chevette 1977 - 1984)