What programming language would I use to make a translating program?

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I want to create a computer program that will translate from English to Spanish and vice versa. So someone could type in a word, phrase, or paragraph and translate from one language to another. What programming language would I use to write up the code and then implement this program?
#language #make #program #programming #translating
  • Profile picture of the author Workman
    What programming languages are you familiar with?

    Fortunately, there are a number of wrapper classes that integrate into Google translate for PHP, Python, and other languages. You could create your own translator, but a 3rd-party service (Google translate) would probably fare better in terms of accuracy.
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    • Profile picture of the author webpeon
      Originally Posted by Workman View Post

      What programming languages are you familiar with?

      Fortunately, there are a number of wrapper classes that integrate into Google translate for PHP, Python, and other languages. You could create your own translator, but a 3rd-party service (Google translate) would probably fare better in terms of accuracy.

      basically what workman says, re-inventing the wheel is not a good idea, especially when google have spent ridiculous amounts of money on getting it to the stage they have, i believe there a google translate api available for use providing the user of your propgram has internet access that might be the way to go, I personally couldnt see myself using a translation program when googles only a click away, could be wrong, who knows.
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      • Profile picture of the author Workman
        Originally Posted by webpeon View Post

        re-inventing the wheel is not a good idea, especially when google have spent ridiculous amounts of money on getting it to the stage they have
        But we must remember that the programmer is a strange breed. They are passionate and have the will to push boundaries even if there is a great solution available possibly for the sake of learning or challenging the status quo.

        You could even augment your results by utilizing Google translate if your system can't quite figure something out or to audit your results.

        As for what programming language to use: use what you know.

        I would think Python would be well suited for this particular project since there's an excellent language parsing library called the Natural Language Toolkit. It's also a great general purpose language.

        My preference falls to PHP for most projects since it's easy, effective, has good documentation, and popular.
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        • Profile picture of the author webpeon
          Originally Posted by Workman View Post

          But we must remember that the programmer is a strange breed. They are passionate and have the will to push boundaries even if there is a great solution available possibly for the sake of learning or challenging the status quo.
          well said and a good point, however passion and skill levels need to be aligned in the real world at some stage, id like to build a spaceship but considering i can barely make a paper plane that flys and i'd be competing with companies that have spent billions in this field im not liking my chances of being able to compete in this industry, however in no way impossible
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenalowe
    Originally Posted by kitsonchen View Post

    I want to create a computer program that will translate from English to Spanish and vice versa. So someone could type in a word, phrase, or paragraph and translate from one language to another. What programming language would I use to write up the code and then implement this program?
    This is a large, complicated, and ongoing area of computer science research. The programming language one uses is nearly irrelevant. Google for 'automated language translation' in the Scholar section and take a peek at 50 years of research.

    Now, if you just want a wrapper for an existing engine like Google Translate, that's another matter. But be aware that automated translation is nowhere near being 'solved'.
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  • Profile picture of the author letsgo823
    I think you can use any language if you know it well. I would recommend php because of its popularity.
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