I read an article tonight about the a company called Language Weaver which offers automated translation. Their claim is that because they have lowered the cost of quality translations dramatically they are opening new markets for translation. Currently the translation industry is estimated to be $14 billion according to research and consulting firm Common Sense Advisory. Supposedly with the lower cost translation that Language Weaver offers with their translation technology, they estimate untapped markets that could reach a value of more than $67.5 billion.
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From the article: In a report on machine translation, Common Sense Advisory concludes a combination of global economic integration and growth of digital content under management puts pressure on price and volume factors for translation supply. "As government agencies, global manufacturers, and media companies flood their respective markets with information-based products and services, they demand staggering volumes and dirt cheap pricing from the translation supply chain." Common Sense Advisory has already observed that many firms have considered — and many more will evaluate — automated translation as a way to solve logarithmic growth in content volume, velocity, and volatility. |
I have never specifically seen how well their software translates, but I am hesitant to believe that it can really replace humans. There also many levels of acceptableness for translation, and I don’t doubt that companies are looking into it. I mean we’ve all had an experience horrible instructions for assembling our latest toy. For something informal, maybe automated software is good enough, but for technical manuals, novels or marketing materials such a website. I would definitely invest in a real set of eyes having a look at it.
