Thread: Online translators

Ok I have a problem, it seems, with online translators.

When I use it (because I really have no friends to say "hey please help me translate into russian" - especially when I WANT to say/write something in russian to a russian friend) the translators seem to butcher the language.

Any solutions at all? Grrrrrrrrr

I don't think there is a solution except to not use them. Online translators are generally useless except for spell checking.

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Ok I have a problem, it seems, with online translators.

When I use it (because I really have no friends to say "hey please help me translate into russian" - especially when I WANT to say/write something in russian to a russian friend) the translators seem to butcher the language.

Any solutions at all? Grrrrrrrrr

Online translators don't work because machines aren't smart enough yet. You really need a human if you want a decent translation.

Just get Skype and talk to Russian speakers that way if you don't have any nearby. There are a bunch on this site who seem to be willing and able to help.

I use online translator only to get some word if I forgotten it or don't know how to write it. A whole sentence I compose myself.

Now for the key is to figure out how to use skype. LOL sigh

http://translate.ru
http://translate.google.com/#

Originally Posted by SAn

http://translate.ru
http://translate.google.com/#

Э-э, ну и?.. Ты тему читал вообще? Хотя бы первое сообщение? Извини, конечно, но складывается впечатление, что не читал.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I don't think there is a solution except to not use them. Online translators are generally useless except for spell checking.

Я протестировала гугловский и могу сказать, что даже в этом на него полагаться нельзя. В любом случае есть способы получше (проверка в текстовом редакторе, кнопка проверки правописания на панели инструментов или электронные словари).

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Now for the key is to figure out how to use skype. LOL sigh

Skype or any other messenger that is popular among native speakers of Russian (e.g. ICQ). It's simple, believe me. (: To find the right person* to speak with is more difficult.
http://icq.com/
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/
Don't forget that in Skype the addressee won't receive your message until you both are online.

* I mean a competent, very helpful, nice and patient person who is often online and ready to help. And who needs your help (at least sometimes). If besides this you have much in common with him/her, you are lucky. It's just my point of view.

There are a bunch on this site who seem to be willing and able to help.

emeraldeyez, I think if you look through Translate This, you'll find someone. Just PM him/her and ask to be your tutor. One more link if no one on this forum has offered you his/her help himself/herself yet.
And of course it's more convenient if the helper doesn't have a big time difference with you. (:

P. S. Please correct my mistakes if there are any.
P. P. S. Извините, что часть сообщения написана на русском.

Originally Posted by Zaya

Originally Posted by Lynn

I don't think there is a solution except to not use them. Online translators are generally useless except for spell checking.

Я протестировала гугловский и могу сказать, что даже в этом на него полагаться нельзя. В любом случае есть способы получше (проверка в текстовом редакторе, кнопка проверки правописания на панели инструментов или электронные словари).

Thanks for the Google toolbar link, I didn't know about that function. I don't have Russian spell check for my word processor so I'd run Russian essays and emails through rustran.com to catch typos. (Just look for the words it refuses to translate and ignore the rest of the gibberish it turns out.)

Originally Posted by Lynn

Thanks for the Google toolbar link, I didn't know about that function.

Была рада оказаться полезной.
Glad to help. I mean, I'm glad you've found it useful.

Privet!

Well ... I think I figured out a little bit with skype and downloaded it to my computer. SO if anyone would like to add me, my skype is emeraldeyez70

I look forward to learning more and also helping!

Carol