Dear Fodorites, <BR>I know there have been a few postings listing a site or two that help with foreign language translations. <BR>But today, I am unable to bring the threads up on my computer. <BR>I have been studying italian on my own for about 6-7 months now for our upcoming trip. <BR>And I am at the stage where I am able to compose a good request for room info, etc, in italian, (plus I also put it in English to make sure that that someone does not think I am requesting a room with a dessert, dolce vs. doccia) <BR>And although I am able to translate the replies (most of them are replying to me in Italian only!!) <BR>I would like to run my replies through a translation, if possible, to make sure I am translating correctly. <BR>So, thank you much if anyone is able to come up with a website. <BR>nancy <BR> <BR>

www.babelfish.com <BR> <BR>Buon viaggio!

Nancy, <BR>It's actually at babelfish.altavista.com now. I could maybe help you if you want to email me privately. <BR>Pam

Nancy, since you have been studying for several months, you probably have enough dictionaries and grammar books to figure it out with a little research. I have also had to revert to English, apologizing in advance for my limited Italian. I usually get a response back in English. <BR> <BR>Furthermore, I am hugely disappointed with Babelfish, although I will occasionally run an article from La Repubblica, just for my amusement because, secondo me, they really slaughter the translation.

Give elingo a try. www.elingo.com I just ran across it today. A real quick test seemed to show much better results than AltaVista. Hardly perfect, but much better. Appreciate hearing feedback from anyone on this or other improved services. <BR> <BR>Ed

Its fun to learn but I found nearly everyone except out in the boonies speak some English. In Siena I was at the fortress and there was a Canadian girl hired in the little shop just for that reason.I also felt like they would rather not listen to our fractured Italian--Just my impression

Thanks all for the replies and leads on sites. <BR>I am almost done with the last translation, then I will try the site that Ed recommended and the babelfish one, too. <BR>Thanks for the offer Pam, if I get stuck, I will e- you. <BR>You speak italian I assume? <BR>Santa Chiara, <BR>I always open my letters with an apology for my poor italian. <BR>But out of 3 requests for info that I have sent, only one came back in english, the other two , italian. <BR>When I finalize our plans with the hotel, I will request that they respond in english, so we do not have any misunderstandings over something very important. <BR>GB, <BR>I know english is widely spoken in italy. <BR>Infact, one hotel expressed surprise over the fact I wanted to learn italian ,as english is spoken in so many places. <BR>But, the woman was very touched that I was trying. <BR>And I had a great <BR>conversation with a hotel,via phone, and we did alot of laughing over my attempts. <BR>Overall, I find practicing italian alot of fun. <BR>But , as before, I thank everyone for their advice, and I will definitely check up on my translations! <BR>nancy <BR>And I will definitely make sure that I do not hold up someone who is very busy, with my beginners italian. <BR>

Nancy, <BR> <BR>I think for what you are wanting, this is a great site: <BR> <BR>http://translator.go.com/ <BR> <BR>It's very good for proofing and (literal) translation, moreso in the written language. (i.e. basic correspondence) <BR> <BR>As, you are learning, the spoken language/idioms can be a different matter altogether! <BR> <BR>I think it's great you're taking a language class! <BR> <BR> <BR>sam <BR>

oh yea... <BR>apparently, "Aiuto!" means "Aid!"...!? <BR> <BR>lol

Sharon, <BR>thanks. <BR>I will try this site. <BR>Elingo was o.k but the one sentence I am struggling with, this site's translation made even less sense to me. <BR>Aiuto!=help!, aiutare=to help. <BR>I wish I *was * taking a class! <BR>I did finally find a school though , and hope to arrange my homelife/children's and husband's schedule to be able to take a class this winter! <BR>But the school is an hour away, and only offered at night. <BR>nancy

oops, you're right, Nancy! <BR>I see now you did say you've been teaching yourself. sorry. <BR> <BR>If you Really want a chance to hear and converse (hopefully) a class WOULD probably make a difference...can be alot of fun to meet others trying to learn too...Or, Hey! Meet some local Italian-speaking people!!!! <BR>Either way, studying on your own is great in itself, and if you can use it as a preface to furthering your knowledge, even better! <BR> <BR>(I realize that's beside the point though) <BR> <BR>I learned Spanish when I lived awhile in Guatemala and Mexico City as a kid... <BR>Soooooo much easier that way! (so DO teach your children well!) <BR> <BR>Ended up a Language major (would've been psychology if I hadn't have had to take statistics, but that's another story...) Have taken continuing ed classes, and have taught the same... <BR> <BR>So, ANYHOOOOO! <BR> <BR>(lol) I do go on...

Sharon, <BR>I wish there were italian speaking persons in my area. <BR>But I am in southern Vermont, and they are few and inbetween.BUT! <BR>We do have a school nearby, which is for international studies. <BR>The other day ,in our local coop, I overheard a woman say , Ciao, to another woman, and she had an accent, so I followed her to produce, and asked in italian, if she was italian. <BR>Unfortunately she is spanish, speaking only a little italian. <BR>but she said at her school, there were two italian students! <BR>so, I maybe in luck. <BR>Something should happen soon, otherwise I will get this reputation as "that strange lady who follows others around in stores" <BR> <BR>As far as learning as a child. <BR>You are so correct! <BR>you were lucky to have that opportunity as a child. <BR>I did not have the opportunity to learn a second language til 10th grade, and in 1968, I cared little for my studies. <BR>I wish today, that teaching a second language was a priority for our schools. <BR>My children were initially turned off by my italian studying. <BR>Everytime they got in the car, my tapes are playing. <BR>Now, as our trip is getting closer, they are more interested. <BR>They use to groan when I would speak to them in italian. <BR>So now, I sing the italian words at them, opera style.When they complain, I tell them, I can either sing it, or speak it. <BR>You of course can guess which they prefer. <BR> <BR>See, you are not the only one to go on and on! <BR>Thanks for your replies. <BR>Ha buona festa! <BR>nancy <BR>

Cara Nancy, <BR>Congratulations on trying to learn another language. I LOVE Italian (born in Italy) and would encourage you to keep going. If you need held email me. <BR>although most people speak English in the larger Italian cities it is fun to visit the smaller towns and experience the real Italy language and all. <BR>Dina