Google Translate: A Song

## "**Google Translate: A Song**"Single by Malinda Kathleen Reese

"**Google Translate: A Song**" (alternatively titled "**Google Translate: An Original Song**" is an original song by Malinda Kathleen Reese. The song was released on December 8th, 2017.

## Theme

In this song, Malinda sets out to change the minds of people who say that her Google Translate Sings series is an example of why people should not use online translating technology, and to show them that it’s an example of how people should not use them instead.

## Lyrics

[Intro]

When your friend from France says...

"Comment ça va?"

And you're not sure what to say back

Well it would sure be great

To have Google Translate

To get you back on track

[Verse 1]

Google Translate uses data from millions of sources

Like our websites and books and all the rest

Many are from the United Nations

Where the translators are the best

It maps your inputted words to concepts

Tries to figure out the context of the contents

Even if it's nonsense

To make translated comments to be a proper respondent

To whatever correspondence you couldn't understand

[Chorus]

But language is messy and its rules are meant for the breaking

Cross cultural communicating can be a struggle for you and me

But never fear, Google Translate is here

Whatever imperfections may appear

At the end of the day

The more we know, the more we'll say

And the more we say, the more we'll agree

And the better the world will be

[Skit]

So why did I still get an F on my language homework?

Uh, uh, well...

Well, it sounds like you need to learn how to use Google Translate responsibly

[Verse 2]

For the world's most spoken languages

Documents abound

But if you're working with let's say, Corsican

Less resources can be found

'Cause spoken words are not just concepts

They have culture and intent

And grammar is a pain to master

It's not easy to say what you meant... what you mean

[Chorus]

Language is messy and its rules are meant for the breaking

Cross cultural communicating can be a struggle for you and me

But never fear, Google Translate is here

Whatever imperfections may appear

At the end of the day

The more we know, the more we'll say

And the more we say, the more we'll agree

And the better the world will be

[Bridge 1]

Sometimes we find the grammar is just a wreck

Or auto detect thinks you're speaking Czech

Or the inflection goes up when it should feel like a frown

Or the circumflex is inside out and upside down

Or you mean to say "Hey" but instead said "Go swim"

Or you meant to say "Where" but instead said "Who's Jim?"

[Bridge 2]

Look, technology isn't perfect

But hey - neither are we!

As long as we know it's limitations

We can learn to use it wisely

Like not translating lyrics to songs 14 times in a row

But, hey, it makes for a really good laugh and it makes us smile and so

Just as long as we know...

[Chorus]

That language is beautiful, logical and free

How else would understanding be possible between you and me

So never fear, Google Translate is here

Whatever imperfections may appear

At the end of the day

The more we know, the more we'll say (the more we know, the more we'll say)

And the more we say, the more we'll agree (the more we say, the more we'll agree)

And the better the world will be

## Trivia

* This video was sponsored by Google Chromebook.
* The line "Comment ça va?" is omitted in the version of the song that was uploaded to Spotify.