Finally, Americans and Canadians will be able to communicate with each other, using the power of Babelfish.

Before the implementation of the new language conversion system, Americans and Canadians were constantly misunderstood by their geographic neighbours [neighbors]. Interpreters and translation services provided adequate means of communication, but were mostly limited to government and large businesses because of costs. This communication barrier restricted trade between the two countries and the lack of communication resulted in poor economic relationships, ties which have become even more strained in recent years.

But now, with the addition of the Canadian/American translations, millions of North Americans will be able to exchange ideas, culture, and foreign concepts.

"I like to visit Canadian websites, like Canada.com and Canoe.ca, but until recently I couldn't understand the Canadian language well enough to be able to read the content," said Bob Rae from Ohio, who reads and writes fluently in American. "I could pick out the odd word or phrase that sounded American--enough to guess at the subject matter, and of course I looked at the pictures. Now, I just run the sites through Babelfish, and it translates foreign terms such as 'prime minister', 'free healthcare', and 'lacrosse' into words I can understand."

Although Babelfish is not a perfect tool, the new language options should open up a world of opportunity between the two obstructed nations. Internet users will soon be able to convert e-mails to either language, to the benefit of both the Canucks and the Yanks.

"I moved to the United States earlier this year, and I was struggling with the language eh," said Kevin McCoullough, from Toronto. "I couldn't even buy a Slurpee without pointing, pantomiming, and sounding out American phrases phonetically. Each time I worried about offending the American clerk, and getting short-changed or perhaps even shot. With Babelfish, I can now function within American society, eh. Noo doobt aboot it. [Babelfish translation into American=There is absolutely no question about that.]"

Kelly Frost, a trilingual English professor who speaks fluent American, Canadian, and English, declares that the Babelfish service will definitely improve the understanding between Canada and the United States.

"But y'all know [Babelfish translation into Canadian=You all get it, eh] that it's probably not going to help Americans understand why Canadian football only has three downs," laughed Frost.

The term "Babelfish" originally came from Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Although it is not known if Mr. Adams ever learned to speak American.

"It won't be long before Canadians and Americans will be able to integrate into each other's society, without the communication difficulties they have now," said Frost. "One day, we may all speak the same language...eh."