1. A system for portlet-based translation of web content, comprising a configuration system stored on a memory device, the configuration system for designating a set of specifications for translating web content within an individual portlet of a portal page directly from a first natural language to a second natural language, wherein the set of specifications includes a translation paradigm, and wherein the translation paradigm dictates whether translation of the web content will be viewer initiated, automatic or both viewer initiated and automatic, and wherein the set of specifications further includes: an address of a translation system for translating the web content; a set of target languages into which the web content can be translated; a subject area indicating a type of informational content included in the web content; an address of a user dictionary that supplements the translation system; and a language style for translating the web content, and wherein the configuration system is configured to translate the web content of a portlet of the portal page into a natural language and to translate the web content of a different portlet of the portal page into a different natural language, wherein the source language of the web content of the portlet is different from the source language of the web content of the different portlet.