Automatic translation has come a long way ever since the start of the internet, when it seemed inevitible that we would all be using binary digits in order to translate between different languages. But, perhaps the sophisticated language translation systems at present continue to be a long way away from professional translation services.

The automatic language translation of natural language remains limited because the strength of the software and machinery continue to be holding things back. Or is it because of the subtleties of language and translation were a lot more complex than many people gave credit for?

Even today, the most automatic langauge translation system, including Googles own sophisticated piece of kit that is built in to the Chrome browser, cannot guarantee the best language translation of documents. Moreover, nobody would even consider trusting the intricacies of the novel or a poem to a machine.

“The myth of fully automated translation is just that – a myth,” says Jules Simons, a completely independent translator to the UN, “Languages are just too complex for us to be able to make an automatic language translation system that handles the whole process.”

Not everybody agrees.

“Automated translation is useful enough if you simply need to get an understanding of a document,” says Eric Blassin, head of technical development for the US company that claims to be the world’s biggest commercial translation services group.

This is often described as a “gisting” system. It will give you the actual gist of your document, although at the potential risk of significant errors or loss of sense.

Automated translation can, however, save a translator time – he or she acts as a reviewer, correcting errors and mistranslations rather than working on the whole text from scratch.

Language translation professionals will work with clients to not only convey the meaning of the text, but also its rhythm, tone, melody, and allusions or metaphors.Translation companies make use of systems designed to speed up their work to enable them to provide a highly professional service for a really low price. Their talented staff of translators understand the importance of specific language traits seen in todays business cultures.