We’re excited to announce the launch of the City of Austin's new Website Language Translation Tool! This innovative solution was developed using a unique combination of machine learning, professional linguist reviews, and input from native speakers in our community to deliver high-quality translations in 14 languages across the City of Austin website. Whether you’re an employee looking to enhance your workflow or a resident curious about our capabilities, this tool is designed to make multilingual communication easier.
Your experience matters to us! Please share your input on what’s working and what can be improved regarding the Website Language Translation Tool.
How to Use the Tool
Getting started is easy! Follow these simple steps to select your preferred language:
- Locate the Website Language Translation Tool in the top menu of our website.
- Single-click the word “Translate” to reveal the drop-down menu.
- Choose your preferred language from the options provided.
Why Use the Tool?
Our new tool is built on a foundation of quality and user experience. Here are some of its standout features:
- Professionally Edited Translations: Selected translations undergo thorough analysis by professional linguists, ensuring high-quality and accurate results.
- Translation Memory Bank: The tool stores data from previous translations for consistency and context in future translations.
- Continuous Improvement: We’re committed to refining our tool through ongoing testing and research. Your feedback will help us enhance translation capability over time.
Behind the Scenes
The City of Austin’s Language Access and Website teams collaborated for months leading up to the launch to ensure high translation accuracy. Here’s how we achieved this:
- Two rounds of reviews by professional linguists to ensure thorough coverage and precision.
- User testing with native speakers to assess translation quality and writing levels.
- In-person community testing to gather feedback on reading levels, translation accuracy, and overall impressions, helping us refine our tool further.
The Website Language Translation Tool represents a significant step toward enhancing communication with our community and creating an environment where residents can access important information in their preferred language. We encourage you to explore the tool and share your feedback, as your insights will help us continually improve this resource to meet the diverse needs of Austin.