The problem with translation software is that it's useful to render foreign texts into something like one's own language, but (in my limited experience) the results need substantial editing if they are to be either fully grammatical or to properly convey the original sense.
Going in the opposite direction is therefore fraught with peril -- even assuming that one's is competent in one's own language, a probably debatable assumption in the kind of case we are discussing.
One approach to disabusing students of illusions in this might be to take classic English texts and ask students to rate the software's attempt to render them into their own languages.
Julian
-----Original Message-----
From: Newton P. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 February 2017 10:28
To: 'Plagiarism'; Wells, Julian
Subject: RE: Translation software + academic integrity
Yes, that's the sort of context, although I believe there are more sophisticated software packages available?
-----Original Message-----
From: Plagiarism [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wells, Julian
Sent: 18 February 2017 10:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Translation software + academic integrity
Dear Phil
Can you provide some more context? Would I be right in thinking that we are talking about students with a first language other than English who compose work in that other language and use (e.g.) Google Language Tools to render it into English?
Julian
-----Original Message-----
From: Plagiarism [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Newton P.
Sent: 18 February 2017 07:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Translation software + academic integrity
Hi all
This has come up a few times recently and I thought it would be useful to seek your input.
What is your experience/understanding of the use of 'translation software' by students? Is it widespread? How good is it? Does it lead to problems with students being accused of not producing their own work? (e.g. due to a mismatch between the quality of their assignments and other forms of communication, or due to the student not being able to understand the translated product when asked about it). Is it, in fact, their own work? Do they just use it to translate language or can it do anything else?
Phil
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