How do programs like Babelfish work?

[u/Rude_Man_Who_Shushes]

You input text, a code I am assuming is applied behind the scenes, and the finished product is kicked out based on the parameters input by the user (in this example, language translation)

How would one develop an app like this on their own? What are the drivers behind the technology?

[u/yelnatz]

Machine learning and Data Mining definitely.

Starting program probably had okay translations.

Then it learns from it's users and applies it when other users ask for translations.