Google Translate is a free statistical machine-translation service provided by Google Inc. to translate written text from one language into another.
The service limits the number of paragraphs, or range of technical terms, that will be translated. It is also possible to enter searches in a source language that are first translated to a destination language allowing you to browse and interpret results from the selected destination language in the source language.
For some languages, users are asked for alternate translations such as for technical terms, to be included for future updates to the translation process. Text in a foreign language can be typed, and if "Detect language" is selected, it will not only detect the language but will translate it into English by default.
Google Translate, like other automatic translation tools, has its limitations. While it can help the reader to understand the general content of a foreign language text, it does not always deliver accurate translations. Some languages produce better results than others. Google Translate performs well especially when English is the target language and the source language is one of the languages of the European Union.
Google Translate Browser integration
A number of Firefox extensions exist for Google services, and likewise for Google Translate, which allow right-click command access to the translation service.
An extension for Google's Chrome browser also exists; in February 2010, Google translate was integrated into the standard Google Chrome browser for automatic webpage translation.
An extension for Google's Chrome browser also exists; in February 2010, Google translate was integrated into the standard Google Chrome browser for automatic webpage translation.
Google Translate for Android
Google Translate is available as a free downloadable application for Android OS users. The first version was launched in January 2010. It works simply like the browser version. Google translation for Android contains two main options: "SMS translation" and "History".
An early 2011 version supported Conversation Mode when translating between English and Spanish (in alpha testing). This new interface within Google Translate allows users to communicate fluidly with a nearby person in another language. In October it was expanded to 14 languages.
The application supports 53 languages and voice input for 15 languages. It is available for devices running Android 2.1 and above and can be downloaded by searching for “Google Translate” in Android Market. It was first released in January 2010, with an improved version available on January 12, 2011.
An early 2011 version supported Conversation Mode when translating between English and Spanish (in alpha testing). This new interface within Google Translate allows users to communicate fluidly with a nearby person in another language. In October it was expanded to 14 languages.
The application supports 53 languages and voice input for 15 languages. It is available for devices running Android 2.1 and above and can be downloaded by searching for “Google Translate” in Android Market. It was first released in January 2010, with an improved version available on January 12, 2011.
Google Translate for iOS
In August 2008, Google launched a Google Translate HTML5 web application for iOS for iPhone and iPod touch users. The official iOS app for Google Translate was released February 8, 2011. It accepts voice input for 15 languages and allows translation of a word or phrase into one of more than 50 languages. Translations can be spoken out loud in 23 different languages.
Google Translate API
On
May 26, 2011, Google announced that the Google Translate API had been
deprecated and that it would cease functioning on December 1, 2011, "due
to the substantial economic burden caused by extensive abuse." The
shutting down of the API, which is used by a number of websites, has led
to criticism of Google and developers questioning the viability of
using Google APIs in their products.
On June 3, 2011, Google announced that they were canceling its plan to terminate the Translate API due to public pressure. In the same announcement, Google said that it will release a paid version of the Translate API.
On June 3, 2011, Google announced that they were canceling its plan to terminate the Translate API due to public pressure. In the same announcement, Google said that it will release a paid version of the Translate API.
