Planning A Trip? Make Sure You Pack These Translation Apps For Android

They say that you are as many times human as the number of languages you speak. We all aware of the benefits that come with language learning, how foreign cultures expand our horizons and how understanding different grammar structures sharpens our brain. However, we may not always have the time to master all the languages pinned onto our to-do lists and from time to time, turn to technology once more to help us explain ourselves to, say, a shopkeeper in Thailand.

Here are a few translation apps for Android that can get the job done quickly and discreetly and are also nice alternatives to the familiar Google Translate.

Word Lens

Word Lens is a translation application aimed at world travelers and is especially useful for getting around the city and sampling local food. If you come across a sign, a menu item that you don’t understand or are interested in the ingredients in a strange-looking chocolate bar you picked up – just point your phone’s camera at the unfamiliar word and it will be translated to the language of you choice. The application works best with simple print fonts and may not work well if you are trying to decipher foreign handwriting. A great thing about the application is that no network connection is required and it’s a great way to get translations on the go, no matter where you are.

Jibbigo

Unlike Word Lens, Jibbigo focuses on spoken language and helps you translate phrases, words and expressions thanks to its speech recognition capabilities. All you do is say the phrase you want to be translated and wait for Jibbigo to spell it out for you. Or, if you are trying to understand what someone else is saying to you, just ask them to speak into the mic and get it translated in seconds. As with most applications involving speech recognition, try to keep it simple.

Hanping Chinese Dictionary

Yes, this is very specific – but with the recent developments in the worlds of business and tech, we all may have to take a closer look at Chinese, which is, of course, a pretty difficult language to master. Hanping Chinese Dictionary will not make your communication in Chinese flawless, but it will definitely help you iron out the rough spots. The application works as a standard dictionary, but gives you lots of examples and contextual situations to figure out the meaning of the words, so that you are able to choose the right one for a particular occasion. The interface of the app is clear and simple, which is important when you are dealing with a language as complex as Chinese.

Tourist Language Learn And Speak

As the name implies, the application focuses on commonly-used phrases and is meant to be a helpful travel aid. It covers some of the most typical tourist situations like transportation, food, accommodation, simple interaction, emergencies and so on. A nice feature of Tourist Language Learn And Speak is text-to-speech function, which allows you to have a written phrase read out in the local accent – a great way to learn and to get around.

Duolingo

Duolingo may not be a translation app per say, but it is one of the best language apps out there. It’s a great platform for when you are starting to learn a new language, as well as a way to pick up a few conversational phrases for an upcoming trip. The application will get you introduced to the basics of vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar and will keep you motivated by letting you compete with your friends. Overall, it’s a great way to get started and see how far you can go.

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