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Not everybody possesses the skill or time to master a language other than their own.  Even skilled linguists can sometimes struggle with a particular language.  In cases such as these, then perhaps a computer-based solution would be an appropriate route to take.  While there are computer programs that offer to help with learning a language, maybe a program that provides translation facilities would be a better choice in certain circumstances.

ScanSoft Systran Translator 5 is one such program.  However before dealing with the actual software, some words of explanation regarding the program’s antecedents.  This translation software has been developed by SYSTRAN, a company with over three decades of experience in the field of translation solutions.  As the result of a recent agreement, the SYSTRAN line of translation products will be marketed in Europe by ScanSoft.  While this review is based on the Professional version, there will also be Standard, Standard Plus and Preferred versions.

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Installing the software proved to be time consuming as various checks were made.  The progress of the procedure was so slow that I thought at one point that it had stalled.  However I was mistaken and the installation eventually ran its course.  One possible reason for the slow progress could be due to the program making checks to see which plug-ins would be required especially with regards to the various components of Microsoft Office.

Systran Translator 5 takes selected blocks of text and translates it into a chosen second language.  This can be achieved from within applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook or using the supplied Translation Project Manager utility. A small Systran toolbar will be added to the standard interface of the Microsoft Office applications.  Where the translated text will replace the origin in the Microsoft applications, the Translator Project Manager displays both versions in either horizontal or vertical panes.  The program can translate between English and a choice of Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish in either direction.

Both web sites and PDF documents can be translated by this program.  Web sites need to be brought into the Project Manager utility while PDF documents can be tagged for translation by selecting the SYSTRAN option that appears following a right mouse click.  Also included in the package is the SYSTRAN Clipboard Taskbar that can translate any items placed in the clipboard.  This procedure can be set up to work manually or automatically whenever any text is placed in the clipboard.

While I have no complaints regarding the speed of translation, you do need to be aware that some of the results achieved might not convey the correct meaning.  For example “easy as a couple of mouse clicks” when translated into Spanish and then back to English ended up as “easylikepair of the tecleosofthe mouse”.  Obviously some understanding of the chosen language would help to avoid such situations especially with regards to idiomatic issues.  A tool is provided so that certain names and terms that might not translate correctly can be added to the program’s dictionary.

It has to be said that no translation software is going to be 100% accurate but Systran Translator 5 makes a reasonable attempt and does take over most of the hard work.  It also has an auto-detect feature that will recognise the language used by a block of text.  The Professional version, suitable for the heavy user, costs £269.  Other versions have been priced at £129 for Preferred, £79 for Standard Plus and £49 for Standard.  You will need a Pentium III 500MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, 160MB plus 60MB per language hard disk space and Windows 2000/XP.

http://www.scansoft.co.uk/systran/professional/