The MultiAuction software translates text from the original language to any of the others. Auction item names and product descriptions can be translated to Japanese, Chinese and Korean as well.
Webmasters can download a free version of the product that includes on-screen banner advertising.
Alternately, business clients can license the product for a monthly fee and have it integrated into their sites without ads. MultiCity, founded in 1999, has offered similar translation products that work with Internet chat rooms, message boards, opinion polls and other features of Web sites. The company says about 300,000 Web sites worldwide use its products. It hopes to capitalize on increasing use of the Internet outside of the United States by providing software tools that bridge language barriers. Most automatic translation technology remains rudimentary, but it is gradually improving.