Re: [tlug] Dictionary problem

[Darren Cook <darren@example.com>]

>>> I fail to see the technical difference between feeding Google a string and feeding an online dictionary the same string.
>>
>> My concern as customer would be that the online translation
>> site gets to read my content.
> 
> And ? Wouldn't an online dictionary like ALC read it too ?

We're talking the difference between typing "catheter" or "aluminium"
into the dictionary search engine, and typing "Our [new and top-secret
design] approach uses a 10mm aluminium ring in the catheter, rather than
the currently used 9mm rubber rings." into a translation engine.

But as another answer to your question: given a full sentence MT will
try and guess the correct meaning for each word, and may guess wrong,
and you may not realize. With a dictionary lookup, on just the keyword
of interest, you get back all meanings, with a gloss to describe the
subtle differences, and the translator's superior understanding of the
context can choose which one is correct.

Darren