In this paper, the author states that computer translation is alive and well. But there would be no need to point this out if certain problems from an earlier time had not raised lingering doubts about the overall feasibility of this field. This paper aims to deal with some of these doubts and questions, both as they may apply here and now to those planning to work with computer translation systems and also in a larger sense as they may be connected to some faulty notions about language held by the general public and perhaps some system developers as well. Explaining such doubts and limitations forthrightly can only help all concerned by making clear what is likely –and what is less likely – to work for each individual user. It can also clarify what the underlying principles and problems in this field have been and to some extent still are.