Translation isn't the problem, sending data over the network by default is. Data is leaked to Chinese dictionary servers even if you're translating between European languages using a local language according to https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=806960.

With the GDI hijacking programs you usually download them for specific languages with the knowledge they're internet connected.

> Data is leaked to Chinese dictionary servers

stardict is a Chinese software and the bug you listed says it "leaks" data to stardict.cn which is one of its official website.

https://stardict-4.sourceforge.net/index_en.php

Btw looks like the stardict.cn is dead today

> with the knowledge they're internet connected

Yeah that's pretty much the whole argument.

I do agree that programs should not send data in an arbitrary way. Clear text over public network is not OK