Where does Google get these translations?

[synce]

So I'm finishing up JLPT3 and trying to read bits and pieces of some books I have... I noticed a sentence with a kanji I recently learned - 力を貸して - which I think translates to "I'll lend my strength" in the context it's used. But why does Google say "You are needed"? Am I missing something or is that complete nonsense? Have you seen worse?

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by synce

So I'm finishing up JLPT3 and trying to read bits and pieces of some books I have... I noticed a sentence with a kanji I recently learned - 力を貸して - which I think translates to "I'll lend my strength" in the context it's used. But why does Google say "You are needed"? Am I missing something or is that complete nonsense? Have you seen worse?

Looks like Google did a better job than you did this time. 「力を貸して」 means "Please chip in.", "Help us out.", etc. In your TL, the speaker is the one helping out.

I can assure you, though, that online translation between Japanese and English is pretty much gibberish 90% of the time.

[MMM]

I have noticed an improvement inthe last couple years, so it has gone from 95% gibberish to 90% gibberish.

[Nyororin]

To give it credit, it does seem to do fairly well with single words or very simple phrases...

But so does a dictionary.

[Gokiburi]

Originally Posted by MMM

I have noticed an improvement inthe last couple years, so it has gone from 95% gibberish to 90% gibberish.

Not just for japanese - english or vice versa.

Had a header once by yours google : " This page appears to be in english. Do you want to translate into .. english ? "

Go figure...