Article Blog #7

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/07/language.facebook.google/index.html

Support: http://www.bloglingua.com/google-and-facebook-release-new-translation-tools

The article shows two ways of trying to achieve one common goal, which is internet translations in order to create a true “world wide web.” Two of the top leaders trying to tackle this task are Google, and the social networking giant, Facebook. Both sides are taking different approaches in achieving this goal, and both believe their way is probably the best way. It’s a competition between humans and machine, in this objective to create a internet for everyone. “Facebook aims to translate the Web using an army of volunteers and some hired professional translators. Meanwhile, Google plans to let computers do most of the work” (cnn.com). Facebook currently has more than 65 functioning languages with at least 30 more on the way soon. Whereas Google has 51 languages with over 2,500 language pairs. Facebook uses real people who suggest translation phrases and vote on others submitted translations. Google’s computers use its search engine to examine text that is already on the web, as well as from professional web translations on the web. However, both come with its own flaws that are still being worked out. Google’s computers have a hard time recognizing slang terms, whereas Facebook is geared more towards common talk, but their translators do not touch on wall post, photo’s or comments making it hard for someone communicate with a new friend with no common language.

I think that Google and Facebook both have great ideas on how to make the internet truly global and for everyone. It is about time that someone tries to connect different countries and cultures together by making it easier for people to communicate with each other. Many people would really like to understand the idea of other’s but there are times when the language barrier is too difficult to translate, which is where Google and Facebook come in. However, both lack in certain areas with their programs, but they still have helped many people out so far. My thing is why not join forces? Think about it, wouldn’t it be quicker if Google and Facebook were to join forces and create a perfect program to translate any language? On the other hand, many people think that an online translation still cannot compare to a professional. “Automatic translation is convenient and helps people get a quick gist of the page. However, it’s not a perfect substitute for the art of professional translation” (bloglingua.com). Overall, we still have a lot of time before either Google or Facebook completes its goal, but at least we are headed in the right direction on something that should have been done a long time ago.