There are a number of ways in which translation can be useful for social media. Most obviously, it allows a given network to reach additional users or customer groups. In addition, individual users can connect to many more users in other language communities, through shared interests for example, without having to speak the same language.
Today, as modern technology is widely used by people, the easy use of computers and software has allowed individuals and companies to launch social network websites where people from different parts of the world can communicate. However, due to the diversity of the people, not all people can communicate effectively, and mostly only by using their respective languages.
Through the internet, globalisation has been made possible. The linguistic and cultural diversity of the people have made the world more unified and interactive. Social media networks is just one example where people from different countries can communicate; Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn are amongst the most popular social media websites that the majority of the people using today.
As the numbers of social media users are widely increasing, the need for translation of the content has seen demand as well. Dissolving cultural and linguistic barriers have become necessary on social media websites. A stumbling block is that not all social media websites are providing language translation to its every detail of content of their pages. Thus, it creates a significant hindrance for people to achieve understanding which is a great requirement in every communication.
Facebook launched a translation tool of some of their content from one language to another, which is at least beneficial. Well, I say at least because as of now, not all of their translated texts are correct. I noticed that when I translated my friends’ comments written in Spanish into English. Although the Spanish texts were perfectly correct and intelligible, when I tried to translate them into English, the result was a funny and quite vague text.
Undeniably, the social media networks use of automated translation is efficient; however, one issue is that languages cannot be really translated properly that way. Having an automated translation might not offer a clear interpretation of a foreign text but at best, it provides glimpses or hints about the meaning of the text.
Clear understanding requires an accurate translation. So, if it is true that social media websites are promoting socialization and communication, they should provide accurate translation services that facilitate really effective communication.
In addition, one common issue on social media websites is that not every language is available for translation. Therefore, not all languages are accessible to be understood by some target audiences, which would make it an uphill struggle for them to understand the entire content or message of the page.
It should be remembered that the main objective of social media is to form a global community where there will be no complications of understanding the culture and language of different people; and thus, these necessities should be provided to the people who are involved and who use such social media tools.
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