1. Translation produced by a computer program; 2. Use of a translation program to translate text without human input in the actual translation process.

The quality of machine-translated text, in terms of terminology, meaning and grammar, varies depending on the nature and complexity of the source text, but is never good enough for publication without extensive editing. Machine translation is occasionally used by some translators and translation companies to assist them in their work, but rarely to translate entire documents. Some search engines, e.g. AltaVista, interface with a translation program to provide translations of websites.

Try before you buy: Free online MT services are listed on the Resources for Business page. You will also find links to further information on the subject there.

See also computer-aided translation!