Are you planning to develop your business on a global scale? You can translate your texts using various translation tools. In early days of online translation tools, they were widely considered dubious at best, however online machine translators are becoming more reliable, efficient and accurate. They can be very useful when translating online content in order to secure international clients and markets. Here are six of the best translation websites.
Online translation websites: what are they all about?
How do these translation tools work?
Nowadays, all translation services are based on the same technology – deep learning technology. These tools are constantly learning how to improve their translation services.
Even though these tools provide good results, the services provided still fall far behind the ones offered by a translator. To be sure, the quality keeps getting better every year, but it varies depending on the IT resources used and the amount of time the tool has to ensure self-training.
Benefits and limitations of online translation
Translation tools provide free, unlimited services. Translating different content into several languages will not even cost you a penny. Moreover, results are instantaneous, which can be very useful when dealing with tight deadlines.
Nevertheless, these tools have disadvantages that can be very obstructing. In fact, results can be lacking in terms of context, thus producing a “dispassionate” translation. In addition, machine translation vocabulary is simplistic; it does not consider the nuances in the initial message. As such, results may show signs of misinterpretation and tactlessness. The use of a general vocabulary implies that your message may be delivered incorrectly in the target language. Machine translation lack accurate, specific linguistic skills mastered by professional human translators.
Top six online translation tools
1. DeepL
Developed in 2017 by Linguee, DeepL has quickly come to be a high-performance translation tool that uses Linguee’s database to translate texts. This brilliant tool offers high-quality translation services of websites. This AI-based MT analyses the syntax and the whole context of a document, thus providing relevant translations that varies depending on the complexity of the original text.
DeepL also offers several other translation options for some specific words in case the initial translation is not appropriate.
However, this MT is only available in 11 languages: English (British and American), French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Chinese and Japanese.
2. Google Translate
Google Translate is one of the most common and widely used online translation tools.
What are its real advantages? Google Translate offer translation services in more than 100 different languages. You can also upload a file directly from your computer or mobile phone instead of typing it manually into the text zone.
You can also transcribe and translate a direct speech from one language into another on the mobile app developed by this American firm. This option is available in French, English, German, Portuguese, Thai and Hindi.
Google Translate is directly accessible from the search engine and has an extension on Chrome.
3. Reverso
This multi-purpose machine translation tool is nothing if not reliable. Reverso provides accurate translations in more than 15 languages. It is known for giving concrete examples in which the generated translations are used, which helps in better contextualising the translated sentence.
It is free, but a premium version is also available and offers monthly subscriptions from £4.99.
4. Linguee
Linguee is more like a multilingual dictionary. Instead of translating an entire text, it translates words or idioms based on relevant examples of sentences found on the internet, thus making it easier to contextualise and produce the best translations, the one that’s closest to the native language.
5. Yandex Translate
Yandex Translate is the leader of online translation in Russia and Eastern European countries. Provided by the Russian search engine, Yandex, it offers translation services in more than 90 languages, auto-suggests as you type and has a dictionary that can transcribe.
It can also translate an entire website from a URL – a very useful service when translating into Eastern European languages.
6. Microsoft Translator
Developed by Microsoft, this online translator is the direct competitor of Google Translate. It has a wide range of languages (over 70 languages) and translates texts, speeches, conversations and pictures.
You can even download languages with Microsoft Translator for free to be used offline.
It has a mobile app and can be embedded on other online platforms such as Bing.
Several online translation tools can be used to translate various content and help in developing your business on a global scale. For high-quality specialized translations, we recommended contacting a specialized translation agency, like TradOnline.
Theft of personal data, intrusions into information systems, fraud, hacking computer networks… For several years, the number of cyber attacks targeting French companies has been on the rise. In the face of this growing threat, training is an essential tool for passing on the best practices when it comes to IT security. Implementing e-learning courses in cybersecurity, in particular, can be of great benefit to the organisation.
What is the purpose of computer security awareness training?
Employees are the backbone of the company’s IT security. Indeed, this is a subject that concerns all of a company’s human resources, not just the IT team. Of course, the latter needs regular training in various technical areas, such as system and network security or even application security. However, the other departments within a company, whether they are logistics, administrative, marketing or sales departments, must also be made aware of the problems linked with cyber security.
The primary interest of computer security training is to remind everyone of the most basic of best practices, such as using an antivirus and a firewall, as well as how to create strong passwords to secure access to software and websites used by employees. Regular app updates, data backup and recovery are also covered in this type of training.
Cyber-security awareness can also extend to other topics, such as personal data protection and compliance with the RGPD.
Why use the e-learning format for IT security awareness?
A e-learning course on cybersecurity has many advantages. Firstly, the sessions can be easily taken from a computer, smartphone or tablet. Each employee can thus train independently and at his or her own pace, according to his or her schedule and preferences.
But digital learning is not only easy to use and flexible, it’s also a proven training method that considerably improves the transmission of knowledge and its retention by learners.
Finally, running an e-learning programme on cybersecurity allows tracking, measuring and analysing employee results, success rates and other valuable data.
What is included in an e-learning course on cybersecurity
As e-learning is particularly flexible, it is often possible to customize the content to suit the specific needs of the company. However, there are a number of key themes to broach:
Phishing and ransomware awareness
Protection against social engineering attempts
Safe use of mobile devices
Protection of access to software and websites
Securing data exchanges
Best practices in the office and outside the workplace
What to do in the event of a cyber attack
Who is this type of online training for?
Cybersecurity training is for anyone who has to use the information system of a company, an administration or an association.
The best e-learning courses in cybersecurity
Phosforea
Phosforea offers training in cybersecurity dedicated to professionals, whether or not they are IT specialists. The platform provides companies with more than 600 e-learning modules, which can be largely personalized according to the objectives to be achieved and the profile of each learner.
The most modern learning methods are placed at the heart of the proposed experience: micro-learning, blended learning, serious games, etc. This is a way of capturing the interest of employees with interactive and fun content, as well as ensuring they want to keep coming back, thanks to a rewards system.
BlueLearning
BlueLearning offers quality IT security training, defined and validated by experts from the French National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI). Divided into 4 online training modules, it allows learners to review all the best practices they need to know, and then go into them in greater depth one by one.
The programme includes an overview of information systems security, followed by lessons on authentication security, Internet browsing, and the use of workstations and mobile devices. The training also includes what to look out for with phishing and ransomware.
Lawpilots
With the e-learning course in cybersecurity from Lawpilots, teach your employees about ISO 27001 certification and how to avoid the primary risk factors. These include a lack of knowledge and information as well as bad habits in working life.
This original online training course allows learners to put themselves in the shoes of a hacker and experience different types of cyber attacks from the inside, in order to better understand their mechanism and learn how to react to each of them.
Apave
Apave offers an online training course divided into two parts. Firstly, a detailed definition of the concepts related to cybersecurity: vulnerability, attack, threat, information systems, etc. Secondly, best practices to prevent risks, including access protection, social engineering, use of the Internet and messaging tools, etc.
Translation of e-learning courses
Are you a company looking to train employees from different parts of the world? Do you work with foreign partners? If you are an international company, the translation of your training modules is imperative.
A literal translation of the training modules would be a serious mistake, as it has to take into account all the linguistic and cultural subtleties of both the source and the target language. The translation must also be adapted to the different multimedia formats chosen and to the technical aspect of the content.
Entrust it to a professional translation agency with a team of expert translators in training. This will ensure quality content in different languages, which will successfully convey the desired message.
E-learning is now an indispensable tool for training employees on issues around cybersecurity in the company. Easy to use, flexible and quick to implement, it guarantees an effective assimilation of best practices related to IT security to form employees who are more vigilant and more reactive to web threats.
Translating a website built on Drupal, one of the most used Content Management Systems behind WordPress, is possible! Indeed, innovations in this field are constantly simplifying the creation of a multilingual website. But this isn’t the only advance in the industry. You’ve probably used Google Translate to transform a text into another language that’s readable for you. But, did you know that you can also use it to translate all the pages of an entire site? Find out how to translate a website with Google Translate and the advantages and disadvantages of adopting this automatic translation tool as a professional.
Translating a website into several languages: a how-to guide for Google Translate
How to translate a website with Google Translate
Using Google Translate to translate an entire website is simple. You don’t even need to create a Google account: this feature is available to all Internet users.
Select the target language, e.g. French: this is the language into which you want the site to be translated. In general, the source language (used on the site) is automatically detected. If not, select it, too, or click on the “detect language” button.
Copy the address of the site (URL) you want to translate into the field on the left. Automatically, the same address appears in the right field with a redirection link.
Click on this link.
You don’t have to do anything else! The translated web page opens in a new tab. You can browse all pages of the site. They will be offered in the chosen target language.
Note: translating a website with Google Translate is only possible on the desktop version of your PC. This functionality is not available on the mobile app.
How do I translate a website with Google Chrome?
The good news is that with Google Chrome, translating a website is even easier!
Indeed, like Microsoft Edge, this browser is directly equipped with the ability to translate web pages into another language. This can be done from a computer as well as from a mobile phone.
Here is how to automatically translate a web page in Google Chrome.
Simply open the Google Chrome browser and click on the URL of the web page written in another language.
Once the page is open, right click and select “Translate to English”.
No further steps are necessary! The page’s content will be displayed in English.
Note: Google Chrome makes it possible to automatically and systematically translate a web page written in a foreign language! To do this, once the browser is open, click on the three vertical dots in the top right. From the drop-down menu, select “Settings”. In the window on the right, click on “Advanced settings” and select “Languages”. From this submenu you can customize the options: “always translate web pages written in a language I don’t know”, “add languages”, etc.
Translating a website with Google Translate: 3 key benefits
Once you’ve tested it, you’ll understand, translating a web page, or even an entire site, with Google Translate has 3 main advantages.
It’s:
Simple. You don’t need to degree in information technologies!
Fast. With a single click (or almost), the website is automatically translated.
Free of charge. No need to allocate a budget for this!
The limitations of Google Translation for professional use
Translating a web page with Google Translate is a good option in some situations. For example, you visit the website of a Spanish supplier to find out about their offer (products/services) before contacting them for more details.
It’s a valuable aid to get a general understanding of foreign content for your daily business.
On the other hand, in other cases this solution can be unsuitable or even detrimental to the company, particularly if you apply it to your international communication on the Internet.
Despite constant improvements in machine translation, this tool is not able to provide translations on par with those provided by a professional translator.
Real risks for the company
With Google Translate, the translation of the site is:
Not qualitative. It is a word-for-word translation and is approximate in terms of syntax, grammar, spelling, typography and semantics.
Partial. Only textual content is translated. Thus, images, infographics, diagrams, CTA (Call-To-Action) buttons remain in the original language.
Not optimized. For example, the keywords are translated literally, without any research or optimisation work according to the language specificities and the queries typed by Internet users in the target countries. Say goodbye to all your SEO efforts in the source version!
The risks to your business are substantial. You will lose:
Credibility with your potential customers.
Sales opportunities and therefore turnover. Lack of optimisation leads to poor visibility on the SERP (search engine results pages). Untranslated content creates a poor user experience (UX).
Time. Instead of devoting your energy to your core business, you will be busy making corrections (errors, omissions, etc.).
The solution for professional web translation
There is a solution: entrust this task to a specialized translation agency.
They will ensure professional, native translators, who are experts in web translation, care for your project. They combine:
Strong language skills enabling them to localize your content (adapt it to the target audience) and make it more impactful.
Expertise in natural referencing that will help you place higher in the results of international search engines.
Thanks to innovative tools the agency can offer simplified project management and attractive rates adapted to your requirements.
Translating a website with Google Translate is a simple, fast and free solution for consulting content written in another language. But when it comes to translating your entire website for your potential customers, there is no substitute for a team of professional translators. Your international web presence depends on the quality of the translation and its optimisation.
Since 2015, the International Organization for Standardization ‘s ISO 17100 standard has set new technical requirements for the quality and conformity of translation services. What are these new requirements?
Definition of ISO 17100
Published on 1 May 2015, the new international quality standard ISO 17100 replaces the 2006 European standard EN 15038. These new requirements for translation services cover all the steps, resources and other elements necessary to deliver a certified translation project. This allows translation service providers in Europe and Canada to certify the quality and conformity of their services to their clients.
Differences with EN 15038
Like the EN 15038 standard, defining thetranslation process remains central to ISO 17100. It also determines the professional skills of each of the service providers (translators, editors, proofreaders and managers) involved in a translation project. Interpreting services and the use of machine translation are not covered by ISO 17100.
Unlike EN 15038, the ISO 17100 standard focuses on the interaction between a service provider and its customer. From the moment the contract is signed until the end of the process, it establishes project-specific milestones, as well as all modifications, requests and remarks with a view to assessing customer satisfaction.
ISO 17100 processes
The new ISO 17100 standard lists the pre-production, production and post-production processes of a translation project. It includes a detailed description of each step of the process, the tools (including computer-assisted translation) and mediaused, as well as a list of 42 definitions and 6 informational appendixes. It covers specific concepts and aids related to translation, namely encompassing the administration, technology, techniques, control, management and reporting processes.
In order to ensure the ISO certification of a translation, the translator first carries out a self-check. In a second step, a proofreader reviews and corrects the document provided using a bilingual comparison between the source and target languages. A specialist or monolingual revision of the target language can also be carried out by a specialist, other than a translator. Before publication, proofreading is systematically carried out. Finally, the project manager takes care of the final verification and compliance with the requirements of the standard before sending it to the client.
Professional skills of translators and proofreaders
The ISO 17100 quality standard requires translation agencies to work exclusively with qualified translators and proofreaders. To do so, they must, in addition to having five years of professional experience in translation, hold a state-recognised postgraduate diploma in translation or an equivalent qualification in another field together with a minimum of two years’ professional experience in that field. In addition to these requirements, revisers also need to have experience in translation or editing.
In order to meet the required specifications, translators, proofreaders, editors and managers also need to demonstrate a high level of technical knowledge in their specialist areas to ensure the delivery of a quality translation. For these purposes, it is mandatory for agencies to have an up-to-date register of the professional skills required by providers.
Field: Dermo-cosmetics // personalized skin-tightening and massages
Description of the client’s needs:
A client specialized in dermo-cosmetics, in need of subtitles for a 2.5-hour training video for their local teams, contacted us.
The video, professionally filmed in a studio, was of high quality.
This multilingual project was complicated by the number of languages and the tight deadlines. The request required translation in 15 languages, including some uncommon Asian languages.
The client wanted it all done in only 10 days – the production of the French version as well as translations in all languages.
Project management
Once the overall budget was defined with the client, we had to find solutions in order to optimise the project within a limited cost and timeframe.
As the client’s budget for this internal training project was limited, we opted for a a tool offering automatic transcripts, with review from a linguist in order to reduce the cost of this process. Then we created the srt files before proceeding with a machine pre-translation, all done within the care of our translators.
Machine translation (MT) is certainly a great time saver. However, using MT for a project restricted in terms of number of characters turned out to be much more complicated than it usually is with other projects. This type of project implies a great amount of editing to ensure the subtitles are correctly displayed and readable in all languages.
Keep in mind that MT would generate incorrect results if the original texts (in srt format) are badly segmented or if the transcription contains too many errors or flaws.
This project was not easy for our team who had to harmonise the subtitles in all the requested languages. In terms of organisation, this project had to be managed meticulously – we had to ensure that the interactions were very fluid and well maintained with the translators and the client throughout the project.
Requirements
Option: transcribing the content automatically
The plug-in that gives a preview of the subtitles live on memoQ (our computer-assisted translation tool) to ensure that the subtitles produced will be readable on the video.
The glossary provided by the client was of great help
Customer feedback: the service provided complied with the client’s expectations and was delivered in time.
