Tips, Links, and Additional Information

Machine translation (MT) always returns a translation result for a given source text- sometimes one that is useful, other times one that does not fit the context, sometimes even a direct copy of the source text.  Since machine translation translates texts without the aid of professional translators or native speakers who can discern the nuances and influence of context it is important to remember that the accuracy/appropriateness of the results cannot be guaranteed.

The online MT systems also do not provide a match value (degree of similarity between two compared source texts) to help select the best translation.  RC-WinTrans requires a match value for its dictionary operations, some of which are used in conjunction with the add-on.  In order for MT results to be included in these operations it is necessary to assign them a "virtual" match value, or an artificial value that RC-WinTrans can use to carry out relevant operations such as Find Translation, Get Translation(s) and Auto-Translate.  This is done in the Configuration dialog box.

Note that the default virtual match value set in the Configuration dialog box is 99%. Setting the match value to 100% is not recommended because a translation generated by machine translation may not be correct or appropriate.  Using a match value of less than 100% reflects the possibility that the translation is incorrect or that it needs to be reviewed.  You should also be sure that the minimum match value given in RC-WinTrans' Dictionary/TM Options dialog box corresponds to the match value returned by the add-on.

Whenever machine translation is used to automatically translate items with either the Auto-Translate or Get Translation(s) commands, the Machine Translator window gives you the option of setting a temporary (blue dot) marker ( ) for those items. This works for items that have been translated in the current session as well as those translated in a previous session.

It is also possible to display information about the source from which a given translation was taken by enabling the "Origin" column in RC-WinTrans' Text Table view.  For details see the RC-WinTrans Online Help ("Automatic Translation" topic under "Tracking the Origin of a Translation").

Unlike RC-WinTrans dictionaries or a translation memory (TM), the online machine translation systems do not supply the match value (source text) needed to determine the accuracy of the translations it finds, so these translations should always be subject to close review.  Another reason for caution is the nature of machine translation itself, which does not possess the sophistication of native speakers or human translators.