Not everyone of us can learn at least one foreign language. But what if you need to go abroad, and knowledge of the local language is not enough? To use the online translator, which in the vast web a great many. But they all have one disadvantage: they need an Internet connection. But Microsoft recently unveiled a fairly high-quality offline translator that works on the basis of neural network algorithms and does not require Internet connection.
Of course, someone will say that there are many standalone programs for translation without constant online. Yes, but the quality of the translation leaves much to be desired, and such a transfer is popularly called “prontosil” (in honor of one of the first programs-interpreters that were popular in the early 2000s). Translation with the help of programs based on algorithms of neural networks, it is much more accurate. According to the developers from Microsoft,
“A modified version of the Microsoft Translator supports the updated neural network language packs for the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai. The translation quality has increased on average 23% compared to other similar programs.”
It is worth noting that the function of the neural network translation has been available since the fall of 2017, but only on a small number of devices with dedicated chip for neural network computations, and even with the requirement of constant online work. Moreover, according to the statement, all the same Microsoft, function the offline translator can make use of third-party developers whose programs are designed to work with the Microsoft Translator API. Download the updated version in the stores for iOS and Android will be available in the near future.
I would also like to mention that the algorithms of neural networks works and well-known translator from Google, but only when connected to the Internet. Taught by bitter experience of faith in the sweet voice of PR-departments of large companies, we could not check personally how well the vaunted work of translators on the basis of neural networks. In our view, both developments are far from ideal and, although they are doing better than the memorable PROMPT, still unable to prevent a rather serious mistakes.
Translate a couple of sentences with their help, of course, possible. But the ability to communicate is unlikely. Our little experiment you can repeat yourself, given that both the translator is absolutely free. But the results of our experience you can watch below.
Microsoft released the first offline translator on the basis of neural networks
Vladimir Kuznetsov