[MT-List] Published translation worse than raw MToutput

[Jeff Allen]

Dear all,

I recently purchased a scooter board which came with use and maintenance
instructions in several languages.

Below is "exactly" how the French and English texts appear in these
instructions.  If you send the French text below through your favorite
online MT system, it is very likely that the raw MT English output in
many sentences will be better than the published English text that
came with the item. At least this is what I found when I ran the French
text through a system or two.

Regards,
Jeff Allen

-------  begin -----

NOTICE A CONSERVER
CHARGE MINIMALE D'UTILISATION: 20 KG
ATTENTION: A UTILISER AVEC DES EQUIPEMENTS DE PROTECTION (CASQUE, COUDIERES,
GENOUILLERES, PROTEGE-POIGNETS, GANTS).
A UTILISER SUR LES VOIES PRIVEES HORS DE TOUTE CIRCULATION AUTOMOBILE. A
UTILISER SUR DES SURFACES PLANES PROPRES, SECHES ET SANS OBSTACLES ET
ELOIGNEES DES USAGERS DE LA ROUTE: POUR LES DEBUTANTS: SE FAIRE AIDER PAR
UNE PERSONNE ADULTE. AVANT UTILISATION: VERIFIER LE REGLAGE DE L'ARTICLE ET
QUE TOUS LES ELEMENTS DE CONNEXION SOIENT FIXES SOLIDEMENT. AVERTISSEMENT:
NE PAS SAUTER DES OBSTACLES AVEC L'ARTICLE. NE PAS SUPPRIMER LE SYSTEME DE
FREINAGE.  NE PAS UTILISER DE NUIT.  UTILISER AVEC LES DEUX MAINS SUR LE
GUIDON.  NE PAS UTILISER PIEDS NUS.  INSTRUCTIONS D'ENTRETIEN ET DE
STOCKAGE: AVANT CHAQUE UTILISATION, CONTROLER LE SERRAGE DE TOUTES LES VIS;
DE TOUS LES ECROUS, ET DE TOUTES LEX FIXATIONS DES ROUES OU DU GUIDON.
REMPLACER LES PIECES D'USURE (ROUES, FREINS, ETC...) PAR DES PIECES
D'ORIGINE. GRAISSER REGULIEREMENT LES ROULEMENTS DES ROUS ET DES
ARTICULATIONS. ELIMINER TOUT ARETE VIVE OCCASIONEE PENDANT L'UTILISATION:
LAVER A L'EAU ET AU SAVON. NE PAS UTILISER DE SOLVANTS. NE PAS RANGER
HUMIDE.

(Note: there is a spelling error in the 4th sentence from the end where
"roues" is spelled "rous". )


NOTE TO BE PRESERVED
MINIMAL LOAD OF USE. 20 KG.
CAUTION: TO USE WITH PROTECTION EQUIPEMENTS (HELMETS, COUDIERES, KNUCKLES,
PROTEGE Wrists, GLOVES). TO USE ON WAYS PRIVEES OUT OF ANY MOTOR VEHICLE
TRAFFIC.  TO USE ON CLEAN PLANE SURFACES, CIGS AND WITHOUT OBSTACLES AND
ELOIGNEES OF THE ROAD USERS.  FOR THE DEBUTANTS: SE TO MAKE HELP BY AN ADULT
PERSON. BEFORE USE: VERIFIER The REGLAGE OF The ARTICLE AND THAT ALL The
ELEMENTS OF CONNECTION ARE FIXED FIRMLY. WARNING: NOT TO JUMP OF The
OBSTACLES WITH THE ARTICLE. NOT TO REMOVE THE BRAKE.  NOT TO USE OF NIGHT.
TO USE WITH THE TWO HANDS ON THE HANDLEBAR. NOT TO USE NAKED FEET.
INSTRUCTIONS OF MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE BEFORE THE EACH USE, TO CONTROL THE
TIGHTENING OF ALL THE SCREWS, ALL THE NUTS, AND ALL THE FIXINGS OF THE
WHEELS OR HANDLEBAR. TO REPLACE THE WEARING PARTS (WHEELS, BRAKES, ETC.)  BY
ORIGINAL PARTS.  TO REGULARLY LUBRICATE THE BEARINGS OF THE ROUS AND THE
ARTICULATIONS.  TO ELIMINATE ANY ARRIS OCCASIONEE DURING The USE.  TO WASH A
WATER AND WITH THE SOAP.  NOT TO USE SOLVENTS. NOT TO ARRANGE WET.

--- end ----