For FREE translation services of a web page, I recommend using the tool available at AltaVista which was used to provide the translation of this statement. Accessed December 03, 2001.

http://world.altavista.com/

En Espanol: Para los servicios de traduccion LIBRES de un Web page, recomiendo el usar de la herramienta disponible en AltaVista que fue utilizado para proporcionar a la traduccion de esta declaración. Tenido acceso De Diciembre El 03, 2001.

En Francais: Pour des services de traduction LIBRES d'un page Web, je recommande d'a l'aide de l'outil disponible chez AltaVista qui a ete employe pour fournir la traduction de ce rapport. Consulte Decembre 03, 2001.

The web site may be reached at http://world.altavista.com/ and the service is powered by Systran Internet Translation Technologies.
http://www.systransoft.com

Clear instructions are provided in many languages. The source file is also translated which allows the user to save the page to their hard drive. The services are free for a web site to use for translation of up to a 16kb file and 5 pages upon registration with Systran. The next level of service costs $999.00 per year and you must allow a banner to be displayed on your page.

Case Study

FreeTranslation.com is the site used for this exercise (http://freetranslation.com) where three phrases are submitted, translated, saved and then backtranslated to compare how well the message is conveyed.

Click here to see the Translations

The free service should only be used for communicating a basic message such as a delay in shipment. Technical terms not normally encountered in general converstation and even the word "order" did not transalate well. Things may be accomplished in a "specific order" which translated to the word "sequence" instead of an acknowledgement of a contract to make a purchase.

Because so many words in the english language may have many meanings, it is important that alternate interpetations be considered when creating the original message. Promotional words used to motivate sales must be carefully worded as inappropriate translations of the emotions conveyed do not translate well. All things considered, other services should be used if the message is of a technical nature or regards an attempt to generate sales. A payed for service that allows for special additions to a dictionary and even a live consultant/ translator is my recommendation.