Translation Software

[Tricky_Dicky]

Hi,

I've just been asked to try and find some translation software so the office can send out letters to parents who don't speak English.

I've looked at Babelfish and Google translate but they don't cover the languages that we need which are Urdu, Somali and Arabic.

Does anyone know of any good one's?
Cheers

Rich

[penfold]

I thought that these kind of things weren't recommended for official things? I know in the past that other parents who could speak both langauages have been used to translate between teachers and parents, or even other pupils have been used to translate in meetings. This was only used when parent had limted english and the teachers wanted to be sure that parents understood what they were being told. Do you have any ex-pupils who could help?

But in answer to your question, sorry dont know any software.

[Tricky_Dicky]

Cheers Penfold, I've passed on the thoughts to the powers that be. I did some digging around and because the language we were looking for are not European then it would have been very expensive to purchase any software anyway.

[spacevortex]

A very Tricky one, i had one of our school translators last year look at one of my web sites, she burst out laughing. Google translator makes a mess of it.

Systran is suppos to be good, our local authority did or still do use it on their website. SYSTRAN - Online translation, translation software and tools
They do have a translator to try on site....... ARABIC

It might be a long shot but look at Rosettastone they do loads of languages for learning, you might find someway of being able to use one of the language modules to your advantage......

But it seems you cant beat employing someone or at least hiring. we have several employed translators/ one2one teachers.

Next time you hire a TA at the school make sue you get someone who can speak the language you require.