A SHORT SUMMARY
Pros
- Supports 90 languages: With its vast language support, the Google Translate app is the most universal translator tool available
- Conversation Mode and Camera Lens: These two features are what makes Google Translate such a fantastic translating tool
- SMS Translation and Phrasebook: Several of these other extra features may be handy at times too
Cons
- Literal Translations and Glitches: One rather major drawback of Google Translate is their literal translations, especially in the usage of phrases
Google Translate
One of the most popular translation tool available at the moment. Supporting 90 languages for translation, Google Translate is widely used by everyone, be it students, teachers or even businessmen. The mobile version, the Google Translate app, is available free on both iOS and Android. The app is extremely popular and reached over 100 million downloads in both operating systems.
The app may have a simple design, but its functionality tops many other tools available on the App Store or Play Store. Should you come across any foreign languages, whether it be in the form of SMS, pictures or even a person, the Google Translate App has features to tackle any language barriers. In addition, several of these features can be used offline, so there is no need to worry for weak signal anymore. This app is certainly able to help you read and communicate as you travel to countries where you don’t speak the language too, given its many handy features. We’ll examine the Google Translate app in more detail below.
Pros
Supports 90 languages: With its vast language support, the Google Translate app is the most universal translator tool available. You are most likely to find both languages you are translating from and to. Choose which language you need to translate, such as Italian to English, then type out the word in the space provided. In addition, you can translate not only single words, but also long complex sentences.
The app can also “speak” the translation by clicking on the speaker icons, allowing you to hear the proper pronunciations. The Android app also allows you to write out the word on the screen, an extremely useful feature for those intending to write special characters such as Chinese or Korean. While this app normally requires internet connection, you can prepare beforehand by downloading language packs, allowing you to use translation for your selected languages should you have no internet connection.
Conversation Mode and Camera Lens: These two features are what makes Google Translate such a fantastic translating tool. The Conversation Mode allows you to converse normally with another person speaking a foreign language. Select the two languages to be translated and talk.
The app will display the translation for your partner to read, before it listens to what your partner’s reply is. This mode allows you to speak comfortably with your conversation partner as in a normal conversation. This features is currently available in 40 languages. Camera Lens is another amazing feature, especially useful for travelers. When you come across foreign words, such as on a sign or printed text, use your phone camera to point at the text and the app will display a real time translation. Camera Lens is, however, only available in 26 languages currently, but the app is continuously being updated with more language options.
SMS Translation and Phrasebook: Several of these other extra features may be handy at times too. SMS Translation is, as the name suggests, a tool to translate your SMS. Instead of having to copy and paste the text, you can open your SMS through Google Translate, which will translate the message. Phrasebook is a small feature which keeps all translations you marked previously, a neat feature for those learning new languages to review on several important words.
Cons
Literal Translations and Glitches: One rather major drawback of Google Translate is their literal translations, especially in the usage of phrases. This makes it difficult to understand the translation at times, when idioms or slang phrases are used. The Conversation Mode and Camera Lens also suffer from seldom glitches, making it slightly difficult to use the features at times.
Conclusion
A versatile, feature-packed translating tool, Google Translate is definitely one of the best translating apps available and a must-have for any travelers. With offline support and many convenient features, Google Translate is easy to use for anyone. The app may have a couple drawbacks such as glitches and its translations may not be perfect, but overall it still does the job. Google Translate is free, ad-free and will only get better through its regular updates. Anyone looking for a great translation tool app should try Google Translate first.
