BY ROBERT R. FRAGNITO, MEMG President and Founder
Google added Persian (Farsi) to its translation list on Thursday June 18. Google's addition enables users to translate content from English to Persian as well as from Persian to English. Although Google admits it is not perfect yet, launching the service at this time was particularly important given the current situation in Iran. Google explained that it gives Persian speakers one more tool to communicate to the outside world through blogs, emails, YouTube, and Twitter.
You can access Google Translate at http://translate.google.com/
COMMENTARY: On a personal note, as a student of Persian (Farsi), I must say that this tool is not only significant because of the protest in Iran, but it is also very useful for students studying Persian. Language tools and programs for Persian, in my experience, have been lacking all together here in the United States. I experienced this studying Persian on the east and west coasts. Perhaps this is a product of the disconnect with Iran. I tested the tool today and found it helpful.
For those seeking additional translation resources, I recommend these websites:
- How to help now that Google Translate is available in Persian / Farsi (Good List providing "hot" Persian words being used on Twitter, Youtube, and in the Blogosphere at this time)
- Farsi Dictionary (Offers a broader range of words in Persian, but the English-Farsi Tool is a little hard to use it you don't have knowledge of the script)
- Persian Alphabet via Omniglot (Entire Alphabet with audio)
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