Frequently Asked Questions

Does Intertext use automatic translation programs?

The answer, as far as our regular projects are concerned, is no. Despite the fact that several different automatic translation systems have been developed in recent years, they have not been perfected to the point of giving a technically satisfactory result. These applications can translate simple texts or texts with very similar syntax, but the results are not good enough in the case of more complex texts. Natural languages have intrinsic characteristics that pose problems for automatic translation. For example, everybody has their own way of expressing themselves, and their expression is not always perfect. Language can also be used creatively to describe the world around us. It is constantly changing, and it is very difficult to follow the rapid developments in different areas of knowledge that become part of everyday language. For all of these reasons, it is extremely difficult to maintain an automatic translation system with current information processing technology. We follow the development of automatic translation with great interest and we carry out tests, particularly on its integration with computer-assisted translation or controlled language systems, so that we might offer it as a possible solution for specific projects.