Grammar Checkers

1/96, From Bill Bentsen
Ralph asked, "Does anyone use a grammar checker in their MT? If so, what benefit do you obtain from it and which one do you use?"

I consider grammar-checking software programs to be playtoys rather than substantive reference tools. As an ex-English teacher, I find the "errors" which some of this software finds to be laughable. As a medical transcriptionist, I use my own abilities with grammar and punctuation to add the proper nuances to the dialogue which the dictator spoke.

The grammar-checking software packages which I'm familiar with are Grammatik and RightRighter. Neither is valuable to actually analyze grammar and punctuation with any reliability. Of course, spell-checking software is quite reliable; however, one still must realize that "of" and "if" may both be spelled correctly -- and still may be the completely wrong word.

From Cynthia Lewis:
In my "past lives" I used a grammar checker to keep me within a reasonable grade level of writing (both for children's stories and for general distribution information for my staff) and to keep me honest about slipping into the dreaded passive voice -- but I agree that a grammar checker would be cumbersome and practically useless for our MT work.

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