TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: English to Spanish Translation Software: Caveat: Reply
Subject:Re: English to Spanish Translation Software: Caveat: Reply From:Lee Bumgarner <jlbumgar -at- VNET -dot- IBM -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 4 Oct 1995 09:48:49 EDT
Rob Uribe replies to David Dvorkin:
>To a certain extent I agree with David Dvorkin. I don't believe that the
>translation programs are a complete waste of money. There are instances where
>they are useful. I do agree that you are better off using a professional
>translator, one that is knowledgeable in the technical or professional field
>that your document addresses.
>
>There are two approaches in language translations: literal translations and
>translations for meaning. The software translation programs, I've seen,
>translate literally. What is required, in the translation of documents, are
>meaningful translations. This is why knowledge of subject matter is
>important
>
>The problem with literal translations is this: while the individual words in
>the body of text may be translated correctly, the grammatical constructs do no
>
>not carry forward with the translation. What is missed in these types of
>translations is the meaning that these words produce - together.
Thanx to all those that replied, offline, keeping techwr-l clear. If you
remain interested in keeping this thread going, please post directly to the
list. My involvement has to be curtailed as deadlines approach.
Thanx.
Lee Bumgarner
"Views are mine and not those of my employer."
