The translation industry is getting revolutionized, and this revolution is due to machine translation tools and artificial intelligence. They are developing at an extraordinary pace. Our world is transforming with each passing minute, and the translation industry is no exception.
Now we are living in an era where professional translators and translation agencies try to keep up with the latest machine translation tools and translation trends that are machine-oriented, and some translators also include artificial intelligence in their work lives. You must be thinking that we are glorifying the use of artificial intelligence and machine translation tools. But don’t get us wrong when we say that machine translation tools and artificial intelligence are here to stay.
Also, we are not saying that using machine translation tools will clear out human writers. But you can benefit from it. Using machine translation tools can be beneficial as you can accelerate your content production and deliver text translation rapidly.
In this blog post, we will tell you why you should use machine translation tools, and we have also created a list of essential machine translation tools you should know.
Why should we use Machine Translation Tools?
Before answering this question, we need to know what machine translation is. Automated translation, or machine translation, is the process of translating text from one language to another. It is done by using computer software.
Now back to our question:
Why should we use machine translation tools? You must be wondering whether translation jobs should be better left to professional translators. But to your surprise, In today’s dynamic world, there is a growing number of jobs that are becoming big targets for machine translation. One of the most essential advantages of using machine translation is speed.
When machine translation is engineered correctly it can provide fast-paced and real-time translation. MT engines can translate thousands of words per second. Depending on the scale of the project, the turnaround time with machine translation improves. The use of Machine translation has increased in recent years. The machine translation market was valued at USD 650 million in 2020 according to Global Market Insights.
And, is expected to reach USD 3 billion by 2027. All these statistics tell us the same story and that is how important it is to use machine translation tools for your translation projects. The graph shows the US market share for machine translation in different sectors and the market size of the sectors expected to grow in the next five years. (Global Market Insights)
Machine translation is also considerably cheaper than human translation. Whenever, there is a large amount of content that is to get translated, like large-scale legal cases or real-time translations, For instance, there is a cross-border litigation case, and millions of words need to be produced within a week. And this is a task that would not be possible for human translators.
Here, machine translation comes to the rescue, making it possible to quickly examine different language documents, search for relevant terms, and remember them for future use.
5 best free machine translation tools
1. Google Translate
Whenever we talk about machine translation tools that are free Google Translate is the first thing that comes to mind. It is a free online machine translation tool that helps with text translations and converting documents from one language to another. Google Translate is free and highly accessible.
You just have to type your text or upload your document and click the translate button. Google Translate has features like multi-language translation, app integration, and offline translation on mobile. It offers translation in 109 languages of different contents.
2. DeepL
DeepL is considered an impressive machine translation tool and is becoming a go-to tool for individuals and businesses. It has a good reputation for its nuanced and accurate translations. DeepL has a seamless Windows/iOS integration option, and it also has an intuitive interface.
Also, provides high-quality translation. It has features like document translation, App integration, and encrypted cloud storage. The only drawback is that it only offers translation in 26 languages, while other tools can handle up to 100 languages.
3. Reverso Translation
It is a free AI translation software that supports translation in 18 languages. In this tool, you only need to type texts or speak out words for the desired translation. Reverso also assists in improving linguistic skills and expanding vocabulary knowledge. It has features like document translation, in-Context examples, a guide to pronunciation, flashcards, and vocabulary lists.
4. Bing Microsoft Translator
A machine translation cloud service produced by Microsoft. It is integrated into Bing, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Edge, SharePoint, Skype, Visual Studio, etc. This Microsoft Translator offers companies and businesses text and speech translation via cloud services. Supports 12 speech translation systems, and 105 languages, which powers the Microsoft Translator live conversation feature.
It also allows you to translate from voice to images and delivers a user-friendly experience. Possesses features such as speech translation, translation memory, a project management dashboard, In-Context Editing, and app integration.
5. Duolingo
Duolingo is a free language-learning platform. Also considered a machine learning platform, it is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The main focus is to provide free language translation and education to everyone while making it fun and engaging. And also uses gamification techniques to learn new phrases, words, and skills.
5 paid machine translation tools
1. MemoQ
MemoQ is MT software produced by an experienced group of professional translators. It delivers intuitive and thoughtful features. One of the most popular MT translation software products on the market. It is easy to use and learn, making it user-friendly for beginners. Offers features like Translation memory, Termbase, Translation workflow management, Quality management, Localization, and multi-language support.
Apart from all these features, MemoQ provides various elements you may not need but will appreciate. Nowadays, what matters most is high-quality translations, and MemoQ Pro offers you the best user experience and exciting new features.
2. Amazon Translate
It is a text translation service that uses machine learning to provide quality translation. Amazon Translate is used to translate text documents and build applications that work in multiple languages. Amazon Translate is quite young in comparison to other translation software, but it has emerged as a powerful tool. You can use Amazon Translate with an AWS login.
The range of different functionalities offered by neural networks is huge. It includes features like batch and real-time translations, broad language coverage, app integrations, custom terminology, and automatic language identification.
3. Smartling
A translation management system also known as the CAT Tool. Smartling is considered suitable for documents, app localization, and website assets. It also supports integration with tools and software that you might already be using. Including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, and Sketch.
The users of Smartling love the flexibility to configure translation workflows that are usually based on other platforms. Offers features like Task Delegation, a glossary, Comments and mentions, Quality Assurance, and tool integrations.
4. Crowdin
It is a translation and localization management tool that helps businesses and individuals alike to translate different types of content into target languages. Crowdin offers various tools and viewing options so the translation process can be as easy as possible.
It is that type of translation software that doesn’t specialize in any one area of machine translation. Crowdin offers features like task management, collaborative tasks, payment processing, built-in translation memory, custom translation memory, and translation management.
5. Memosource
It is a translation management system that helps you manage translations for your website assets, documents, etc. When using Memo Source, you can easily connect your content management system to maximize your translation workflow. Its interface is easy to navigate, making it easier for people who are not tech-savvy.
It integrates with the software platforms. This makes it the best choice for all businesses to use machine translation. Some of the key features of a memo source are task delegation, quality assurance, glossary, custom translation memory, collaborative translation, and client management.
Now that we know the different types of machine translation tools. It is essential to make an informed decision on what to choose and what not to choose. Yes, there are still chances for mistranslations to occur, and technology so far is not error-free.
And sometimes the incompetence of the tools regarding linguistic translation can create a series of jokes on social media. But you need to understand the use of machine translation tools and how to use them in your favour.
This way, you will save a lot of time, and your translations will be better oriented and give you the best results.
Planning to take your translation projects to another level? Look no further! We at Naarg have got you covered.
Contact us today to learn more about our translation and localization services.