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To be fair to Winfried, you need to understand that he is talking about a
translation memory (TM) tool, rather than a machine translation tool.
Translation memory has to do with aligning existing English and translated
segments which can then be tracked to increase the amount of previously
translated text that can be reused in later versions of a document. This
process is already reliable and in use. There are also tools used for
establishing glossaries and checking for consistency. As far as machine
translation goes (although I think Winfried will probably disagree here), I
understand that it can be used effectively under certain constraints (such
as a highly controlled and limited vocabulary and syntax, such as CE).
However, it should never be used to produce on-the-fly translations of
documents for publications without post-translation editing.
Bill Burns
ILE Communications/Eccentric Technology Consultant
billdb -at- ile -dot- com
> You can't gouge out your mind's eye.
>
>
> Hi Winfried;
>
> In a message dated 98-07-22 04:28:51 EDT, you write:
>
> <<
> Hi Damien,
>
> >Has anyone heard of any software that can be used
> >pre-translation?
>
> STAR Transit does what you want. It=B4s a translation memory tool
> that could help you in two ways:
> snip, snip .... >>
>
> My research of artificial intelligence indicates that reliable language
> translation applications will not be available in our life-time, but who
> am I
> to argue with the manufacturer.
>
> Bernie
> Canada
>
> Sorry *Eric* I just thought that, as a controversial subject, this should
> be
> made clear (I'll stand corrected).
>
> ~
>
>