Wanted to post a quick follow-up to my entry regarding Facebooks translation tool. We all know that Google is big into language, but with the launch of their Website Translator Gadget they are taking another step into what is becoming a hot area.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/translate-your-website-with-google.html

It was pointed out to me by Stephen Curran that this one works a bit differently to the Facebook one.  You simply include a javascript widget in your webpage.  The widget detects the language of  the user agent of the visiting user.  If its different to the language of  the webpage the user is prompted to translate it.  With this you don’t get to manage the translations.  Facebook give you  more control.  On the other hand setting it up is easier.

The same functionality is built into the Wibiya toolbar at the bottom of this screen.  May seem a bit incremental, but together all these things point to an industry in flux.

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