Malinda Wiki
Register
Advertisement

"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

Video[]

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.
Advertisement