As ED has said, best if you use very simple English, childlike even, if you want the google translator to work with any accuracey. If your lady is useing windows messenger, then download ''Tbot 2 Alpha'' it works directly on the IM, ...same thing though, use very simple English, and tell your lady to do the same with her Chinese... you'll find it works much better then.... (Tbot is a windows download, and will sit in your IM contacts window)
As Ed said agian, it'll take a little time getting use to, (and can be a bit of fun too) but eventually you'll get to know what works and what dosn't work
David....