For instance, when you say "lie" do you mean to "recline" or to "tell a falsehood".  They both sound and are spelled exactly the same, but deciphering their meaning during translation can be challenging.  Another example is "sow" and "sow".  One is a verb the other is a noun.  In the case of the verb,"to sow", (pronounced "SEW") means to cultivate land, as in planting seeds.  The other, is "sow", (pronounced like "ow" in "cow") which is a female pig.  And since we are on the subject of "sow", there is also "sew".  These two words sound alike, but of course, have different meanings - "sow", as we have explained means to cultivate and "sew" means to stitch.  The three examples above; "lie" and "lie"; "sow" and "sow"; and "sow" and sow";  are examples of a homonym, homophone and a homograph.

Even the terms homonym, homophone and homograph are often confused.   Homonyms are words that are written and pronounced the same way but have different meanings ("lie" and "lie").  Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently ("sew" and "sow").  Homographs are words that are written the same way but have different meanings and often different pronunciations (sow an sow).   

In translation, using these terms are not very difficult.  In fact the proper term usually comes out in context or with the aid of a good English Dictionary.  You will most likely know the difference between "two" and "to" when using in a sentence.  But if you inadvertently misspell a word this is usually where the problem occurs and the translation fails.  Spell Check software have no way of knowing what you meant when you wrote "bye" for "by".  

Just take a little more time when dealing with homonyms, homophones and homographs.  That way you can be sure your meaning comes through (or is it "threw"!).