Free Russian Translation

Getting short pieces of text or Web sites translated from Russian into English and back again can be expensive if you pay for a professional translator. Finding free online tools to do the translating for you can be an economical and fast alternative.

You can also use these tools to translate Russian to and from other languages. Just be aware that the more translations your text has gone through, the less it will sound like the original text. Therefore, it's best to find translators that can take Russian directly into the next language for you, instead of jumping to English and back again.

The Russian language uses a number of fonts that the English language does not. If your computer does not have the proper fonts installed (most do), you will need to download software that can interpret it correctly. Visit Cyrillic Fonts on the Internet to find a listing of freeware. Read all of the conditions and terms before downloading to your computer, however. Do not download from a Web site you do not feel is secure.

Free Online Russian Translation Web Sites

Finding the free translation sites that work the best can take a lot of time. Instead of hunting up your own, check out the list compiled here by yourDictionary. Bookmark your favorites and use them whenever you have a Russian translation need.

  • Rustran.com: Two great features on this Web site make it perfect for someone learning a second language. Use the Language Teacher dictionary to translate single words from Russian into English, and PROMPT translation for lengthier sentences and text.
  • Systran Box: Type the text or URL you need translated into the box. Click on the appropriate key and you will find your information translated into Russian or English. The entire system is available for purchase, but using the box is free.
  • Free Russian Translation Forum: If you are interested in learning about the Russian language, get help from online friends via this forum. Read all the rules and regulations, sign up, and post your short translation requests for other members to translate. Depending on the amount of traffic, you may or may not get a reply. Do not post urgent translation needs.
  • Applied Language Solutions: Get text, e-mail, and Web site translations from English to Russian or vice versa. Special characters are available below the source textbox if you need any for your translation. Add the translation toolbar to your Web site for free.
  • Russian Language Forum at MasterRussian.net: Russian language learners will find the entire Master Russian Web site helpful in their quest for knowledge. But, for a few quick translations, visit the Translate This! Forum and ask members for translations of short paragraphs and sentences.

If you have a lot of languages you need to translate, including Russian, use World Star Dictionaries, Translators and Encyclopedias. This site can translate between English, Russian, Italian, German, French, and Spanish. Additionally, this mega-translation site offers you a choice of 12 different translators to use. Select them all or just pick one or two. This Web site is a must-have for any language aficionado.

Four popular translation services--Babel Fish, Google, "http://www.online-translator.com/srvurl.asp?lang=en">Prompt Translation, and World Lingo--are reviewed at Russophile: Russian Blogs, News and Discussion. As a member of a public forum, the original poster takes issue with the many inaccuracies of online translation tools. This is an interesting read for anyone who needs more accurate translation services and a reminder that "you get what you pay for" when it comes to quality translations.

Foreign Language Identification

If you are translating what you think is Russian into your language and the results you are getting make no sense, you may not have identified the original language correctly. To figure out what language you need translated, visit the Language Identifiers section of yourDictionary. Eight different programs are available to help you figure out your language source. Several can be downloaded for use when you are offline.