The globe has become like a town which is inhibited by people speaking more than two
thousands languages. The role of Machine Translation (MT) became essential. For global
corporations, MT is providing a viable answer to their needs by supplying better control
over translation volume, speed and brand fidelity. This article provides an overview for the
state of the art of MT systems, the languages covered by MT systems and the used
technologies. Furthermore, Pros and Cons of using MT in business and the current
challenges are explained. The main MT systems involving Arabic language are presented
and the need for post-editing is recognized. MT evaluation methods, both human based or
Automated, are discussed. Speech-to-Speech translation technology appears to have finally
become a reality; this article outlines the current state, challenges and opportunities of
speech translation.