4 Useful Translation Apps For Travellers

So you have decided to embark on a journey into the unknown, you have packed your backpack and ready to jet off to explore the other side of the world and indulge in rich culture, amazing views and exotic food. Just one thing, you can’t speak the language of the local people. In the past many travellers who went travelling to non-English speaking countries would find it difficult to communicate with local people unless they had some type of access to translation services.

Tasks such as asking for directions would take you maybe 10 minutes just to get through to someone whilst using a tremendous amount of hand gestures as though you were in an aerobics class. Well in 2016 this is a thing of the past. With the ever improving technology we have access to and the ability to access internet even in the most remote parts of the world has helped decrease language barriers which has benefited travellers in many ways. Below are some of the best language translation apps on the market.

1. Google Translate

Rated 4.4 stars on the android Google play store with over 4 million downloads on the Android play store, Google Translate app must be doing something right in helping people interpret their message from one language to another. Whether it is a Spanish translation you require whilst you visit Spain or South America or perhaps you need to translate your English to Russian, the Google Translate app is easy to use and most importantly free to download on the play store. Google translate is also available to download on the apple app store.

Top features:

• Translate between 103 languages
• Translate 52 languages when you have no internet
• Two way instant speech translation in 32 languages
• Take a picture and have it translated to text instantly in 29 languages

2. Lexiphone

Lexiphone is like having your very own interpreter in your mobile phone. The app developers claim it to be the “world’s first automated phone interpreter”.

Key points:

• The app supports Chinese translation, French translation and Polish interpreti
  ng to name a few.
• This app however does not come free but for a fee you can easily call more than 100 countries and translate your conversations into 16 different languages in real time.
• The app is available both on Google play store and the Apple App Store.

3. Trip Lingo

Their motto says it all “helping international travellers stay safe, productive and savvy during trips abroad”.

Key features:

• The app has a voice translator feature so you don’t have to always type what you are looking for
• The app also includes safety tools such as how to call emergency services when you are abroad or how to tell someone you have a particular food allergy
  
• Included in Trip Lingo is the ‘phrasebook feature that includes slang, formal and slang options for over 2000 phrases per language.
• Not only does the app help you to translate between languages its cool Wi-Fi Dialer feature allows you to make free international calls when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Having only been around for about 2 years this app is promising and is worth to keep an eye on to see how many other cool features arise.
• Trip lingo can be downloaded on both Google play store and the Apple App Store.

4. iTranslate Voice

This app is handy especially for travellers who require a fast and easily accessible translation feature.

Key features:

• iTranslate Voice allows you to speak into the app which automatically translates your speech and reads it out in one of the 42 languages compatible with the app. This allows you to get the real pronunciation if words in different languages.
• Includes a dictionary feature so you can understand the meaning of each word.