Google Translate. What a beautiful thing. Google Translate bridges divides and helps us form relationships across cultures, and it gets more and more accurate every day! I decided to put it to the test, to see just how good Google Translate actually is. I figured I would use the most sacred text in existence: The Goshen College Alma Mater. I put it through Google Translate 9 times, using languages from places that Goshen has had or currently has SST units, excluding a few languages who’s translations were too long for the software (I’m looking at you Arabic). Needless to say, I am very pleased with the results. I think we should adopt the newest version, as a nod to our “cultural progressiveness”. Please enjoy!
Languages Used (SST past and current)
Indonesian
Spanish
Swahili
French
Chinese
German
Korean
Polish
Haitian Creole
Original
There’s a spot in Indiana where the leafy Maple grows;
‘Tis our dear, beloved city where the Elkhart River flows.
‘Tis a spot we love most dearly.
‘Tis a spot we’ll cherish long
After youth and strength have faded, and the world has heard our song.
Goshen College ever singing, to our motto we’ll be true,
Honor to our Master bringing, Alma Mater we love you.
Here we learn life’s duties doing in our sacred college halls.
First-year, soph’more, junior, senior answer “Aye” when duty calls.
All our talents marked for service, and our hearts beat warm and true.
Ever lead us onward, upward, ever shall our strength renew.
Goshen College ever singing, to our motto we’ll be true,
Honor to our Master bringing, Alma Mater we love you.
And the lasting ties of friendship, woven through with hopes and fears,
May they ne’er be brok’n asunder in the distant coming years.
Though our future paths may lead us to fair heights we cannot see,
Alma Mater, ‘ere we leave you, loyalty we pledge to thee.
Goshen College ever singing, to our motto we’ll be true,
Honor to our Master bringing, Alma Mater we love you.
Google Translated
In Indiana there is a place with fertile trees.
“This is our beloved city, through the Elk Heart River.
“This is our favorite place.
“We will be happy here.
After weakening youth and strength, the world listens to our songs.
Goshen Academy sang immediately. Our motto is:
Dear Sir, Alma Mater.
Here we learn to live in the holy college hall.
The best, minimum and most pure users should answer “yes”.
All our talents are marked by service and our hearts are truly captivated.
Lead us forever and renew our strength forever.
Goshen Academy sang immediately. Our motto is:
Dear Sir, Alma Mater.
Lasting friendship of hope and fear.
In the future we will be overwhelmed.
The road to the future can take us to an invisible height,
Alma Mater: “Indeed, freeing the promise of integrity.
Goshen Academy sang immediately. Our motto is:
Dear Sir, Alma Mater.
