www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I use Google Translate on my phone, so I can cut 'n' Paste into WhatsApp conversations. However, I have learned (via the hard way) that both typing or speaking English can get misconstrued.

Do not misspell "Good" as "Goid". It makes the difference between "Buenos días, princesa." and "mañana gobierno de Indonesia, princesa." (which comes back to English as "Indonesian government tomorrow, princess."). Who knew?!?!?

When speaking, take note that " That is Really ..." sounds a lot like "Pet Cemetery". Witness "que es realmente emocionante." versus "cementerio de mascotas que salen.".

Of course, the app catches the first mistake and warns you, but the second is a string of valid English nonsense, which the app consumes readily.

If not careful, your well-intentioned missives can sound like a script from Monty Python.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Something I have noticed about Google Translate, many times it will ignore the word "no", thus giving a translation that is exactly opposite of what you wanted to say.

That is why I make sure that everything is spelled right before using a particular translation.

Sent from my XT603 using Tapatalk 2

it also inserts the word no, especially when you are trying to affirm that she is pretty, and like circumstances.

Clearly someone at Google has a sense of humor.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

If I have time, I copy/paste the translation back to english to see if it makes sense. You can also use SpanishDict.com and it will use 3 different translators which makes it more likely to catch mistakes.

I think those things almost impedes a gringo's chance of ever learning or becoming fluent…..


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

The only way to learn is by making mistakes.

No! Cujo is right. You become dependent on them and never learn the language yourself. I only use mine in WhatsApp, where I cannot see the person, so lose the 'body language' information important to be properly understood.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Good points all. I am learning spanish (slowly) and it makes a huge difference. I still use the translator on the phone, and have learned the hard way that the translation often depends on which english words you choose. For example; don't ask her why she is mad if you want to know why she is angry! She will instantly become more angry, especially if she is mad.

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My English teacher said "I before E except after C". Then she told me to go to science class!

oh hell ... I've never learned how to understand an English-speaking woman. I'm never going to understand the latin mind.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

my first night in last night i am sitting at the bar in SL w the masseuse and two blonde girls get a text from a guy staying up the street.
they ask a different girl playing pool to interpret it and she says "es fin" or its finished.
the girls look puzzled and just sit there holding the phone until the masseuse asks to look at it.
on the phone it says "come over" and they thought it meant "its over"

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Watch out about using JODA or JODER with all of the connotations and slang involved.

I agree that an important learning tool comes from mistakes--they just don't have to be your mistakes.
Here's Bro MattyIce's translation site as a clickable: http://www.spanishdict.com/

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I think that translation software is awesome, if you use it occasionally to translate words. For example, I used it to translate "raccoon" the other day.

On the other hand, using it to translate sentences or conversations, rather than learning the language, causes problems and prevents you from really learning the language. Add to that -- many translators don't distinguish between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish. That can cause huge headaches.

As a dictionary, it's great. But I do not recommend using a translator to attempt conversation.

Translators will always have a problem with idioms. Just try to explain in many different ways until they understand. Then keep a journal of the correct way to say it. Learning takes some work!