SYSTRAN Translation Software - History

SYSTRAN develops and distributes the world's most scalable translation software designed for governments, large corporations, small to medium sized companies, individual users, larger internet applications and online portals. SYSTRAN's powerful technology can translate more than 36 language combinations and integrates with the most popular business applications. SYSTRAN has been the pioneer in developing natural language translation technology and applications for more than 30 years, developing products for the U.S. intelligence community, Department of Defense, the European Union and Fortune 500 companies.

One most note able achievements occurred in late1997 when a joint venture was formed between SYSTRAN and AltaVista and the result was BABELFISH, the world's first-ever online translation service. BABELFISH offered the first free real time translation service to millions of users. BABELFISH's emerged as a leader in the global internet community and millions world wide were exposed to the benefits of automatic translation.

In the 21st Century SYSTRAN is still considered the leader in the industry and continues to deliver the latest in state-of-the-art natural language translation technology.

Consider these Facts:

SYSTRAN's technology translates more than 4 million web pages per day

Over 300,000 sites translate their content with our technology

Over 300,000 customers subscribe to our SYSTRANET service

Over 100,000 companies subscribe to our SYSTRANLinks service

The Department of Defense, Government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and multinational groups use SYSTRAN's technology to perform millions of translations daily.

Development of Machine Translation
In the beginning the idea of decoding natural languages through mathematical techniques seemed overwhelming but soon became a reality after World War II. During the 1950's, research on performing Automatic Translations, known today as Translation Software or Machine Translation ("MT"), took form in the sense of literal translation, or commonly referred to as as word-for-word translations. It was evident that the technology would have to be further developed to use more complex instructions to have the software recognize the linguistic rules of each language.

SYSTRAN – leading the way with MT
Peter Toma, Ph.D., a linguist researcher for MT, began his work in 1957 at the California Institute of Technology. A few years later, Dr. Toma became involved in the initial work of developing Russian->English MT at Georgetown University, the largest MT project in the US of that time. In 1968, Dr. Toma established a company in San Diego, California, USA, with a product called SYSTRAN, an acronym for System Translation.

Soon after, the company was contracted to develop Russian->English MT for the US Air Force. The first SYSTRAN MT system was tested in early 1969 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Since 1970, the system has continued to provide translations for the US Air Force's Foreign Technology Division.

SYSTRAN: Then and Now
The concept of deciphering natural languages through mathematical techniques came into being after World War II. Explorations and study on Automatic Translation, known today as Translation Software was set in motion. During the 1950's, nearly all of the early efforts at developing MT systems utilized closet-sized computers for word-for-word transformation, devoid of the use of any linguistic set of laws.

The growth was not rapid, trouble-free and nor was it inexpensive. In actuality, these efforts led to pitiful translations, consequently resulting in a definitive stop to government-sponsored research. Regardless of the huge confrontations, research was carried on.

Today the power of the desktop computers and increased computer capacities and speed are delivering a quite impressive translation quality that even the experts are agreeing is the wave of the future.

Systran Time Line