# Will language-translation software ever be perfected?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-language-translation-software-ever-be-perfected/381339>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [November 21, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-language-translation-software-ever-be-perfected/381339 "2006-11-21T20:56:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-language-translation-software-ever-be-perfected/381339/41 "2006-11-25T06:08:40Z")

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[QUOTE=Aeschines]  
My take is that a two-stage process is unworkable.  
[/QUOTE]

Indeed, this seems to apply to my automotive and home repair endeavors as well. I’ll start a repair project with the deluded idea that I actually know what I’m doing, when, in fact, I completely lack the wherewithal to complete said project. Ultimately, things like extra pieces, electrical shocks and unanticipated fires typically tip me off to the fact that it’s time to put down the tools and back away slowly. _Ah well, Time well spend_, I rationalize—_at least I’ve got the job well started for the soon-to-be-called professional repairperson_. Many headshakes and large repair bills attest to the illogicality of my assumption. Motto: stick with what you’re good at—my expertise happens to be in the area of theoretical and applied human sexuality…

🆒

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**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-language-translation-software-ever-be-perfected/381339/42 "2006-11-25T06:13:37Z")

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Dr. Poopiepants, the other thing to remember is an accuracy check. I can take a computer generated translation and probably edit so it reads more or less like native English. However, that does not include any accuracy check.

I think what you will see is computer translations of specific subjects or genre’s. For example, economics or mechanics. Literature, poetry, “normal” everyday slang & context speech will be a long time coming.

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