I'm trying to help a friend translate German to English, and I'm stuck on a few words. Is there a free translation web site you can recommend? For example, "Selbstverstandlich" ?

Selbstverstandlich?...self explanatory, literally self understandable<BR><BR>Look at:<BR><BR>http://babelfish.altavista.com/

Selbstverst&auml;ndlich means: "as a matter of course", "self understood", "self evident", or "as a matter of course". The a in the word is the German a with two dots, called an umlaut. A vowel with an umlaut has a different pronounciation than the normal a.<BR> <BR>Depending how long the translation job is, I could do it for you, unless it is mostly slang or highly technical German.<BR>In those two cases, I am probably into something I cannot handle. <BR>As for a dictionary on-line, try www.leo.org.<BR>But there is really no substitute for a good published dictionary such as the Oxford Duden.

C'mon guys, will you let a non native-English speaker have a try? In the context in which Selbstverstandlich is normally used, I would translate it to "it goes without saying". Do I or don't I get a cigar?

Hi,<BR><BR>I am German. Bob`s translation suggestions were correct and good.<BR>If you need further help, just write..<BR><BR>Miriam

Bob, Miriam: quite right, nothing to add there. <BR><BR>And Bob: I also use the on-line dictionary "Leo", but usually from German to English or when I do not understand one of these slang expressions here! LOL<BR>It's a very helpful tool!<BR><BR>HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU!

Thanks, you all.

I'm trying to use both Leo and Babelfish. I've had really good luck, previously, combining Babelfish with my dictionary. Perhaps you can give me some advice about how to best use Leo? Is it possible to translate phrases? Does Leo have a translation page with the options (the chart at the far right) in English? There might be something I could click on that I'm not recognizing. Babelfish has been a help in the past, but it's translating too literally for me. I realize that by now, I could have just typed in the entire copy and you all would have translated it for me, but I'm kind of stubborn and would like to think I can reason it out myself if I keep trying. So, for the time being, any process info regarding Leo will be appreciated. Miriam, a special thanks to you for your offer; I may take you up on it yet.

Leo is mainly a dictionary. Translating phrases is tricky business for a computer. I find Babelfish just that, babble. In fact, I think it can be dangerous. I have tried some of those things with humorous results.<BR>Like the time we ran "Out of sight; out of mind" in English through one of those computer babblers and asked it to translate it into German. It came out "unsichtbar und verruckt." Run it back through and you get invisible and crazy. <BR>I might add that Miriam's command of English is top notch, if you wish to take her up on her most generous offer. <BR>

Can anyone translate Italian into English?

OK, Miriam, perhaps you'll tell me how I'm doing? I've translated the following to read: "Never fear about the prices! For a stay of three nights or more, we will gladly accommodate you with these special prices! Consider our all-inclusive weekly rates." The actual copy is: (w/o umlauts) "Keine Angst vor den Preisen! Bei langerem Aufenthalt ab drei Nachten Kommen wir IIhnen mit unseren Tarifpreisen gerne entegen! Beachten Sie, unsere Pauschal-Wochenpriese." <BR><BR>What is my grade? Bob, feel free to jump in here, too. That "gerne entgegen" really stumped me. Thanks. Oh, and what does the abbreviation McSt. stand for? All constructive criticism will be appreciated.

pardon. MwSt.

MWSt = Mehrwertsteuer <BR><BR>"gerne entgegen" is fine. Is used very frequently is commercial business.<BR><BR>Tarife oder Preise: either of them but not "Tarifpreise"<BR><BR>"Bitte beachten Sie unsere Wochenpauschalen" would be a little smoother!

Sorry, forgot :<BR><BR>Mehrwertsteuer = value added tax (VAT)

Thank you, Ursula. But I am going from the German to English. So can you tell me if my English is a correct translation of the German as you see it?

Hi,<BR><BR>I was too late. I think it sounds just fine how you did it. If I would read that in a hotel brochure I wouldn`t think that it sounds strange or that it was written by a non-native speaker.<BR>Sehr gut!<BR><BR>Miriam

German is my first language! <BR><BR>Let's wait for Bob, maybe. I will be off within minutes. It's time for the weekend.<BR><BR>"Never fear about the prices" sounds a little aggressive, at least to me.

Hallo Miriam!<BR><BR>Kannst Du Ÿbernehmen. Muss gleich weg! <BR>Thanks a bunch und schšnes Weekend!<BR>

Oh dear:<BR><BR>= uebernehmen<BR><BR>Umlaute, br

Hallo Ursula,<BR><BR>ich muss auch gleich weg...<BR>Schoenes Wochenende!<BR><BR>Miriam