When one decides to travel to another country, one of the first things that pop up in his mind is language. Granted, the language barrier is one of the most common barriers between countries and communities, but at this age, it sure isn’t the greatest one.
The reason is simple.
We are living in the digital world. Thanks to the small hand-held devices we carry around in our pockets, trotting around the globe is easier than ever. Gone are the days when one had to invest months in planning and searching for the right vacation spots. Today, all you have to do is browse on the internet and you are good to go.
Although the solution of translation lies in the hands of professional translation services which lend you website localization services and app localization services, language is still the main barrier for many. Your language will cease to be a barrier to your global travel, owing to the many apps now available on Android, iOS, and Windows systems. But which apps are the best ones for your travel? Read on to find out.
Best Translation Apps for Travelling
1. Google Translate
Google Translate is surely among the best all-around translation app in the world. It supports more than 103 languages while offering offline translation to 59 languages. The Word Lens feature of the app allows you to translate texts from signs in 37 languages.
One of the most useful features of this app is that it can work within any app. This means that you can copy the text in any app on your phone and translate it directly on Google Translate. This app is completely free and possesses a machine translation system that lends accuracy to translation—for a hassle-free vacation.
2. Microsoft Translator
Renowned for offering both enterprise and consumer versions, Microsoft Translator is the answer to all translation queries, particularly if you are traveling. It is accessible for on-the-go travelers due to its availability on both iOS and Android. Microsoft Translator supports over 60 languages and makes use of the camera as well as voice translation to translate speech, text, and images. This app is easy to use and is preferably recommended for travelers who want a digital solution to their translation needs.
3. SayHi
If you step away from big names in the digital world like Google and Microsoft, you will find other apps which are great for translation. SayHi is one of these apps which have a simple and easy-to-use interface. In addition to being free, SayHi instantly translates your voice into the language you want. The app supports translation in more than 50 global languages and has the ability to lend the pronunciation of the translated text.
The great thing about SayHi is that you can have a conversation with anyone without switching languages. This app supports about 40 different languages and is designed for instant communication.
4. TripLingo
Interested in collecting colorful local phrases? TripLingo is the app you should download, particularly if you are an enthusiast of translating signboards and street signs. It is a handy app if you are traveling to more than one destination. Supporting translation in more than 42 global languages, TripLingo translates voice, text, and images—easily and efficiently.
TripLingo’s database offers translation of about 26,000 phrases in 13 languages and instant voice translation of about 19 languages. In addition, the app comes with an audio lesson, a currency converter, and an offline dictionary within the app.
5. iTranslate Translator
One of the most popular and widely used translation apps for Android and Apple, iTranslate is surely the best choice for a traveler. The app translates in over 100 languages and even has the option to switch dialects. With the paid version, a traveler can use his camera to translate text from images, signs, and menus. Other than this, travelers also have access to offline translation in additional 40 languages.
translate offers text-to-speech, offline, and text translations in many languages. The iTranslate Voice version of the app enables conversation between two people through smartphones. This means that if you are speaking to someone in France, you hear English, and the other person hears you speaking French.
6. WayGo
If you are heading to China, Korea, or Japan, WayGo is the translation app for you. Focusing on image recognition, WayGo instantly translates images on signboards in the English language. The app is available on iOS and Android and is an ideal option for translation of Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages. Since these languages consist of characters, translating them is a hassle in itself. WayGo provides an excellent solution to this. All you have to do is point your smartphone camera at the sign you want to translate in English and you are good to go—that too without the need of an internet connection.
7. NaverPapago Translate
NaverPapago is a translation app that you can use while traveling to South Korea. It specializes in translating 13 languages—French, German, English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Indonesian, Thai, and Italian. Similar to other translation apps, Papago offers voice and text translation, as well as real-time translation. It can also find meanings of words in different languages and recognize text on phone. In addition to this, NaverPapago allows you to get translations from websites only by inserting the URL. This means that you can get professional website translation services alongside the translation of street signs.
8. Text Grabber
While it can be quite tough to listen to someone speaking another language, reading menus and street signs is a hassle in itself. Text Grabber allows you to point your camera at the text you want to translate and instantly translates it in the language of your choice. This means that you can easily translate menus, documents, street signs, and much more. You just need your smartphone camera and the Text Grabber app.
The Last Word
While it is true that you can always rely on professional translation services to make your trips easier through website localization services and app localization services, apps like the ones mentioned above are a lifesaver. With these apps installed on your smartphones, you will have no trouble vacationing at your favorite spot in the country you like. Language used to be a barrier in global voyages of the past. Fortunately, it is not a barrier anymore. Download your app today and get going—it is easy as.
