Chester Communities Together - ETA July 17th 2009

The Google Translate Tool

You may have noticed the Google Translate tool located in the right hand column of the Chester Communities Together site, and partner sites.

It is a great tool, as it literally enables you to translate any pure textual information on a web page before your eyes! However, there are a couple of drawbacks to this useful tool. On one hand, it appears as if everything has been converted perfectly, but this is not necessarily the case. Whilst it does its best - the Google Translate tool is not flawless!

Not perfect...

As it runs using the same technology that the big online web translators use, it often translates words incorrectly. If this is news to you then read this real life example! Essentially, just remember to please use it with caution - and consider that certain information contained on ChesterTogether.co.uk and partner sites may be misleading, if translated incorrectly.

Downloads...

The second issue with the in-built Google Translate tool, occurs when the user wishes to download a linked file from within the page - for example, a word document or PDF file. In Lehmans terms, this is because during the translation, the site 'state' and path to the files changes, meaning it can no longer be accessed via the supplied link. Thankfully, Google have included a useful button to return you to the original page, meaning you will be able to download the file/s properly (see Figure 1). You can also use the text link at the top of the browser window (see Figure 2).

Figure 1 - using Google Translate drop down menu to return to the orignal page

Figure 2 - using Google Translate page link to return to the orignal page

Language

If you would like to change the text language on this site you can! Learn about the Google Translate tool...