Automatic Translation

The following short Italian text was translated into English (if it can be called that) using the online translation service "Babelfish" (bablefish.altavista.com). Look carefully at the automatic translation provided as well as the "corrected" version given below (only the underlined sections have been maintained from the automatic translation). Explain how (and why) the automatic translation has gone wrong, comparing it with the corrected version. Come to some conclusions about the usefulness of automatic online translations.

 

Original in Italian:

Le interviste realizzate hanno permesso, in pratica, di determinare una netta divisione del mercato in due distinti comparti: fascia alta e fascia media. Quella che negli anni 80 era conosciuta come la classe intermedia, oggi non c’è più, essendo ricompresa nel ceto medio. In termini numerici, il mercato top consumer negli ultimi 2 anni si è ampliato grazie a una situazione economica migliore, dovuta a nuove categorie sociali abbienti, a un progressivo benessere diffuso che ha spostato la domanda verso prodotti più costosi. A questa positiva situazione hanno contribuito anche il progressivo incremento del consumo dei media (quotidiani, riviste, televisione e, in alcuni paesi, Internet) e il boom dei viaggi culturali e non. E’ da notare che nella fascia alta, viaggi e gioielli, non sono di ostacolo all’acquisto del capo stagionale di lusso.

In sintesi, il ricco acquirente europeo è curioso e informato, vuole apparire, non ostentando, ma bensì scegliendo quei prodotti che sono riconoscibili e riconosciuti dai componenti della sua classe sociale.

In genere questo tipo di acquirente è spesso fedele al punto vendita, sopratttutto se sa di poter contare su un servizio altamente qualificato, su personale competente che conoscendo le sue esigenze diventa un "consulente" di valore.

 

Automatic translation provided in English:

The realized interviews have permission, in practical, to determine one clean division of the market in two distinguished comparti: wrap high and wrap average. That one that in years 80 was known like the intermediate class, today not is more, being ricompresa in the middle class. In numerical terms, the market top consumer in last the 2 years has become larger thanks to a better economic situation, due to new well-to-do social categories, a progressive diffuse well-being that has moved the question towards more expensive products. To this positive situation they have contributed also the progressive increment of the consumption of the average (daily, reviews, television and, in some countries, Internet) and the boom of the cultural travels and not. E' to notice that in wrap high, travels and jewels, are not of obstacle to the purchase of the seasonal head of lusso. In synthesis, the rich European purchaser curious and is informed, wants to appear, not showing, but but choosing those products that recognizable and are recognized from the members of its social class. In kind this type of purchaser is often faithful to the point sale, sopratttutto if it knows of being able to count on a highly qualified service, on competent staff who knowing its requirements becomes a " adviser " of value.

 

"Corrected" version in English: (underlined sections as in automatic translation):

In practical terms, the interviews carried out have enabled a clear division of the market to be made, and the market can be divided into two distinct slices, an upper class and a middle class market. What was known in the 80s as the intermediate class, no longer exists today, having been "swallowed up" again by the middle class. In numerical terms, the top consumer market has grown over the last two years thanks to the improved economic situation, which has led to new well-to-do social categories and a more widespread well-being that has shifted demand towards more expensive products. Further contributions have also come from the gradual increase of average levels of consumption of media products (newspapers, magazines, television and, in some countries, the Internet) as well as the boom in travelling for cultural purposes or otherwise.

It should be noted that for the upper class, travels and jewellery pose no obstacle to the buying of the luxury garment of the season.

In short, rich European buyers are curious and well-informed; they are not simply interested in flaunting or displaying their wealth, but in choosing those products that are recognisable and recognised by the members of their own social class. Such customers are generally faithful to their sales point, particularly if they know they are able to count on top-level service, on competent staff who know their client's tastes and can become an esteemed "consultant".

 

"Corrected" translation © Nigel J. Ross, 2002


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