There are various free translators on the web, but they tend to offer a very basic approach to translation. Since linguistics is about much more than logical grammar patterns, this can cause problems.

Translution Pro aims to put a stop to confusing emails between friends and colleagues. To improve translation in specialist fields, custom dictionaries can be used and you can prevent certain words, such as names from being translated. The result is quick, accurate translations of emails, documents and web pages.

The software allows users to communicate with each other, in various languages, at the touch of a button. For example, a British user writing an email in English to colleagues in France and Spain would simply press the Translution button when sending the email.

It will arrive in each recipient’s inbox, automatically translated into their language. Similarly, incoming emails are translated into the user’s language with a copy of the original attached. Defining the home language of each of your contacts is a laborious, but one-off process.

Translution is compatible with Outlook (not Outlook Express), Word and web pages viewed with Internet Explorer. When translating web pages you have to translate each page individually. An option to translate pages automatically would be useful.

Translution assures us of tight security, although businesses sending highly confidential emails may still be wary of a service that sends email to a third-party server.

Translution Pro translates to and from English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. Further languages, including Chinese and Arabic, will follow over the next 12 months.

After a 30-day trial of Translution Pro, a light version can be used for free, offering translation of emails but not documents or web pages. Overall, it’s a versatile, if expensive, translation application.

System requirements:
Pentium III 350MHz or faster processor
256MB Ram
100MB hard disk
Microsoft Outlook and Word (2000, XP or 2003)
Microsoft Internet Explorer (5.5 or later)