29.03.2022
Are you reading a scientific article in English or want to understand a song meaning you like, but don’t know the language yet? Then an online translator might be the answer. Artificial Intelligence is continuously evolving, and online translators are learning and getting better. However, remember: Online translation is not a substitute for a professional translation, it is only for the common sense understanding.
Here is the most requested translation tools a list. We’ll summarize their main strengths and weaknesses so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. We will also show you how these translators each coped with this challenge using concrete examples. For this we took two phrases: a stable expression (and all that jazz) and a common phrase (This is the best movie I’ve ever seen)..
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Google Translate
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Although the Google Translate effectiveness depends largely on the text and language used, it is the most popular online translator. The features multitude and the languages large number in the database (over 100) is what makes it such a sought-after service.
Advantages:
- automatic language detection;
- possibility to share, save, copy and listen to the translated text;
- entire documents or websites translation;
- individual words alternative translations selection;
- automatic translation after text input;
- there is a Russian interface;
- Translate Community, where you can get help with translations.
Disadvantages:
- inaccuracy in translating technical, legal, financial and other specialised texts;
- confidentiality lack;
- translation limitation to 5,000 characters (in the text entry field).
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Translation example
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Translatedict
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This is a website providing free translation services in 51 languages. The platform allows you to enter a word, phrase or text. You then have to choose a translation language and click a button to get the result.
Advantages:
- listening to the translated text;
- voice dialling for translation;
- entered character count function;
- automatic detection of the language you are translating from.
Disadvantages:
- inaccurate translations, especially with highly specialised words;
- you have to press the appropriate button to translate;
- no Russian interface;
- languages small number to translate.
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Translation example
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Collins
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If you use the Collins Dictionary to search for meanings or synonyms of any words, check out the same name online translator. Collins Dictionary Translator allows you to translate text into 30 languages.
Advantages:
- fast translation;
- possibility to copy the translated text;
- speech recognition.
Disadvantages:
- limited functionality;
- languages small number to translate;
- not always accurate speech recognition;
- no Russian interface;
- you need to press the corresponding button to translate.
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Translation example
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Bing Translator
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Bing Translator, created by Microsoft, is another intuitive translation website that does its job well.
Advantages:
- automatic text recognition;
- voice input;
- 69 languages;
- possibility to copy and listen to the translated text;
- use Bing search engine to search the internet for a translated word or phrase;
- possibility to suggest your own translation;
- Russian interface;
- dictionary function with the word different translations.
Disadvantages:
- the text amount to be translated is up to 5,000 characters;
- not always an accurate translation.
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Translation example
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DeepL Translator
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The youngest online translators one, launched on the web in 2017, but it has already proven itself. According to the developers, this service can capture context and nuance.
Advantages:
- several correct translations, including figurative meanings, etc.;
- information on each word in both languages – meaning, usage examples (double click on the word);
- long texts translation and downloaded files, including those in PDF format;
- ability to integrate the service into websites and applications.
Disadvantages:
- languages limited number – 26;
- not all features are available in the free version, you need the Pro;
- no voice input.
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Translation example
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PROMT
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The PROMT Online Translator cannot working boast with many languages, but it has many useful features that will help you not only with translations, but also with gaining knowledge.
Advantages:
- automatic language detection;
- the translated word or phrase usage Examples in context;
- virtual keyboard;
- possibility to copy the translated text, share it and print it out;
- word forms section with all verb tenses, noun inflection and other grammatical categories;
- topic selection in the contexts section, 18 topics in total.
Disadvantages:
- languages Small number to translate – 22 in total;
- characters maximum number you can enter – 999;
- no voice input or the translated text voiceover.
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Translation example
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ImTranslator
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ImTranslator is known as the best option for simultaneous translations and comparisons. With Reverse Translation, you can automatically retrieve the source text from the translated text in order to compare the translation accuracy. You can compare translations between Microsoft, Google and PROMT translators since ImTranslator acts as these services aggregator a kind.
Advantages:
- there is a Russian interface;
- the reverse translation function;
- automatic language detection;
- spelling, copying, phrases voice-over options in two languages, dictionary;
- special characters translation: mathematical symbols, currency;
- languages large number – more than 100.
Disadvantages:
- not always-accurate translation;
- no voice input;
- you need to press the corresponding button to translate.
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Translation example
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Yandex.Translator
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It is developed by Russian specialists and is quite a serious competitor to Google Translator. This site boasts an attractive interface, fast operation and translations into languages a large number.
Advantages:
- texts translation up to 10,000 characters;
- different variants correct translations, including strong expressions;
- phrases and words examples in quotes from movies and TV series;
- virtual keyboard;
- the possibility to copy the translation, share it and evaluate it;
- word prediction for text input;
- languages good choice to translate – around 100.
Disadvantages:.
- photo translator only supports downloaded files, not images from the internet;
- minor translation inaccuracies are possible;
- inaccurate phrase recognition in voice input.
Translation example
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The online translators all described above offer similar functions, but some have additional options that make them more convenient to use. Choose the option you like, but don’t forget that only the language a proper command will allow you to communicate fluently and avoid embarrassing situations.
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We hope our article was useful for you. We invite you to take our English courses for adults at our school to start learning English or to improve your knowledge. Take an English level test on our website and sign up for a free trial lesson of English online. With EnglishPapa, you will definitely begin to speak English!
