Japanese Translation Issues with Google Translate

  • Context: Lingusitics 
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SUMMARY

Google Translate struggles with Japanese translations, exemplified by the erroneous translation of "Jazz club" to "Cannabis." Users noted that phrases like "Space networks have a strange gravity" resulted in nonsensical outputs. Interestingly, after consulting external sources like Wikipedia, subsequent translations improved, suggesting a potential AI learning mechanism or data integration. The discussion highlights the limitations of static translation tools, particularly with inflected languages, and suggests exploring alternatives like GPT for better results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of machine translation concepts
  • Familiarity with Japanese language structure and inflection
  • Knowledge of AI and its applications in language processing
  • Experience with external reference tools like Wikipedia for language learning
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the limitations of Google Translate with inflected languages
  • Explore the capabilities of GPT for language translation
  • Investigate AI learning mechanisms in translation tools
  • Learn about alternative translation tools and their effectiveness
USEFUL FOR

Language learners, translators, AI researchers, and anyone interested in improving translation accuracy for Japanese and other inflected languages.

Hornbein
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Japanese is a challenge for Google Translate. "Jazz club" was translated to "Cannabis." Hmm, maybe they've got something there.

They also produced this:

"Space networks have a strange gravity
I'm starting to think after I graduated with an amusing horse"
 
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I just found out that Russian ain't much better.



I observed an interesting side effect. After I looked up some words in a different dictionary, an abbreviation on Wikipedia, and returned to Google Translate again, it actually had the correct translation that time. AI involved or just the usual espionage from Google?

Edit: It wasn't so surprising that the second attempt gave a better translation. But that it resolved MGU correctly as Moscow State university after I looked it up on Wikipedia was what puzzled me!
 
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Unlike humans. Now I am going to drink a tall cool glass of Pocari Sweat.
 
Riyoko Takagi on Flight of the Bumble Bee, in translation:

"High-speed and superior skills for arranging tall wood"
 
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Anything that has inflection is going to be tough for static translators. Try GPT.
 

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