As technology advances, people worry less about language barriers when traveling overseas, navigating foreign websites, or meeting people who speak a different language. From real-time translations to text recognition, translation tools are transforming the way we communicate across languages.

In this article, I will provide an overview of translation tools, explore various applications, and discuss their latest advancements. 

Google Translate and Other Translation Tools 

With support for over 100 languages, high translation accuracy, and no cost for users, Google Translate is the most widely used translation tool in the world. It also provides various translation modes, including text, speech, and camera translations. The Google Translate app comes pre-installed on Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS. Additionally, it is accessible via its website and as a browser extension.  

Apple and Samsung also provide robust translation solutions. Apple’s built-in Translate app offers similar features to Google Translate and integrates seamlessly with other iOS applications. Samsung’s Bixby Vision includes a translation feature allowing users to translate text through their camera, making it a handy tool for quick translations on the go.

To see translation tools in action, check out our Tech Tip Videos on the Google Translate and Apple Translate apps.

How to Use Translation Tools 

Most translation apps offer various use modes to suit different situations.  

• Typing: Type or “copy & paste” the text to translate in the app for instant translation. This method works best when translating any on-device text, large or small, like a social media post of an international friend or a message. 

• Speech Dictation: Speak into your device, and the app will convert your spoken words and say them back in the chosen language. This mode of use is very convenient and most useful for real-time conversations. To know whether your translation app supports speech dictation, look for the microphone icon. 

• Camera Translation: This mode is the most recent and has been a game-changer for travelers. Using your device’s camera, you can point it at printed text or signs and get an immediate translation. This feature is particularly useful for translating menus, street signs, or any printed material you may come across. To know whether your translation tool supports camera translation, look for the camera icon .
  

Modern translation tools can also translate text embedded in pictures, making it easy to understand content from books, brochures, or even historical monuments. For instance, on iPhones, if you have any photo containing text, simply tap and hold on the text to select it. This will bring up a context menu with an option to translate. 

Website Translate (Browser) 

Not too long ago, enabling a website to support multiple languages required integrating those languages directly into the webpage. As a result, not all websites offered multiple languages, and those that did generally supported only very few.  

Nowadays, most major browsers, like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari, now offer a built-in translation tool. When visiting a webpage in a foreign language, the browser can automatically prompt you to translate the page into your preferred language, regardless of whether the website supports it. If the browser does not prompt you to translate the page, look for the translation feature button, usually inside the address bar, as seen in the picture below.  

With this feature, you can now effortlessly keep up with foreign articles and news straight from the source or navigate international e-commerce sites with ease. 

AI-Powered Translation 

Advances in artificial intelligence are pushing the boundaries of translation technology. Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini use the power of artificial intelligence to provide more nuanced and context-aware translations. As a result, they can easily translate complex sentences and idiomatic expressions with greater accuracy beyond literal interpretations. 

Translation for Social Media & Chat Apps 

Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram offer automatic translation features that can translate posts, comments, and messages in real time. To use this feature, look for the “See Translation” option below the post or comment in a foreign language.  

Chat apps like WhatsApp and Messenger also incorporate translation features, allowing users to converse in different languages without leaving the app. 

Your Turn 

As we celebrate the National Hispanic Heritage Month and Google’s birthday (September 27), grab your Google Translate app and join Senior Planet on Zoom for our Spanish Discussion group every Wednesday at 5:00 pm EDT. 

Additionally, keep an eye out for Senior Planet’s Intro to Translation Tools online lecture to learn about the tools discussed here and more!

What is your go-to translation tool? Write your answer in the comment below!  

Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer. He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.

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