Students’ Perception of Using Google Translate at English Education Department UINSI Samarinda

Abstract

The translation is the key to accessing the information exchange. Language learners have traditionally relied on dictionaries to understand the meanings of foreign vocabulary in the target language. But now foreign language learners have access to a wide selection of Free Online Resources for Translators (FORT), including machine translation (MT) sites and apps, for example, Google Translate (GT). Therefore, the researcher wants to find out the English students’ perception of GT in helping English students. The researcher wants to conduct the experience of English Education Department students at UINSI Samarinda. The researcher used a mix method research design. The subject of this research was the sixth-semester students of the English education department at UINSI Samarinda. The data were gotten from questionnaires, interviews, and documentation. The findings of this research that students know regarding GT as an MT to translate from one language to another. Students know how to use the GT application correctly by entering the vocabulary they want to translate and then translating manually with considerations regarding grammar, word choice, and so on. Students feel GT is very useful and happy because GT is very helpful, faster, and saves more time. Students consider to translate and use GT to learn pronunciation and add vocabulary or synonyms. Also, translate text from images easily. It showed GT has many advantages in students’ class activities. Despite that, there were also some disadvantages, such as inaccurate translation, lack of grammar, and lack of internet access.