Google breaks down language barriers

  • Email a Friend
  • Print Page
Google breaks down language barriers
May 18, 2007 6:47 AM
Tags: google | breaks | language | barriers

Cross-language search and query interpretation coming soon.

Google is preparing a future update of its search engine that lets users search content in any language.

The cross-language information retrieval technology uses software to translate queries into English. It then performs the search and translates the results back to the original language.

Arabic speakers, for instance, will be able to look for reviews on New York restaurants, even if such information is not natively available in that language.

The search giant showed off the technology at a company event at its corporate headquarters in Mountain View, California.

"As far as you are concerned, you search in your language," said Udi Manber, Google's vice president of engineering. "There is a better chance that you get good results."

Manber said that the technology will be launching "soon", but did not provide a projected launch date.

He also showed off a project that will try to interpret a user's search intentions instead of performing the query to the letter.

Google already assists users by performing a spell check on search queries, or suggesting alternative queries for probable mistakes.

The new design will stop prompting the user, offering results based on the query as the search engine interpreted it mixed in with the results for the query as it was entered.

A search for 'overhead view of the Bellagio pool', for instance, will be replaced with 'Bellagio pool pictures'. The Bellagio is a well known hotel in Las Vegas.

Google came up with the technology after it noticed that many users were unable to enter the correct query to find the information that they were looking for. Manber did not provide a projected launch date for the project.

Copyright © 2009 v3.co.uk


 
Comments

Be the first to comment on this article.
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Comment:
Want to participate in the discussion?
Or log in now to comment
 
 
 
Top Stories
TIO website hit by malware
Weekend malware runs one new process per target machine.
 
Microsoft announces Azure launch date
Australia in second wave of country releases.
 
CBA embarks on "database-as-a-service"
Analysis: How the bank intends to save megabucks.
 

Spotlightthe topics we're following

Latest Comments

"Once we get past cloud computing, it will be full speed ahead to blue sky computing - although ..."
by Ace Feb 10, 2010 9:52 AM
 
"Maxxi if your reading this I am pretty sure the opinion of Google far outweighs the minority ..."
by Mark D Feb 10, 2010 9:46 AM
 
"It never fails to astound me at the greed of corporate executives and politicians, and this ..."
by BernieG Feb 10, 2010 7:55 AM
 
"I would have paid good money to be in court when that clanger dropped. Could you imagine, the ..."
by Private Citizen Feb 9, 2010 6:23 PM
 
"He is not yet listed on NBN Co. website as part of their team of executives (http://www.nbnco.com..."
by Private Citizen Feb 9, 2010 6:07 PM
1) HTC Magic16 plans 2%
2) Nokia N9743 plans 9%
3) Nokia E7149 plans 1%
4) Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB30 plans 11%
5) Apple iPhone 8GB42 plans 5%
1) iiNet32 plans 5%
2) Netspace36 plans 11%
3) TPG Internet19 plans 14%
4) Optus33 plans 1%
5) Telstra BigPond30 plans 2%

Mobiles | Broadband | Credit Cards

iTnews

Polls

What is the sweet spot for Apple's entry 16GB Wi-Fi iPad?




   |   View results
$549
  78%
 
$579
  10%
 
$619
  4%
 
$649
  3%
 
$699
  5%
TOTAL VOTES: 383

Vote