In this day and age, fewer and fewer people are buying phrasebooks for their travels abroad. Nowadays, savvy travelers are turning to a variety of state-of-the-art smartphone apps for all of their language translation needs. Here is a look at some of the must-have language apps for any and all jet setters, backpackers, tourists, and travel aficionados.
Google Translate
This free app has the ability to translate complex phrases and individual words into 64 different languages. Be forewarned, however, that it does not have full capability offline. So, if you’re traveling without a foreign SIM card, you’ll have to look for a WiFi hotspot in order to utilize its impressive functionality.
The best part about this app is probably that it can turn your camera into an instantaneous translator of things like menus and signage. So if you’re wondering what that red “ALTO” sign means in Mexico, just hold Google Translate up to it and you’ll see the same sign with “STOP” written on it instead. (Download: iOS, Android)
Duolingo
This app is one of the best language-learning apps out there — but it’s probably best that you put this on your phone several months before you head to a foreign country. Using a series of word games, Duolingo claims to be able to make you fluent in the language of your choice, all via your smartphone. The only drawback is that it offers comparatively few languages, but if you’re looking to learn a Romance language, it’s perfect. (Download: iOS, Android)
Speak & Translate
This free phone app acts as a live voice and text translator. So if you need to have a conversation with someone, but neither of you speaks the other person’s langugae, this app could be a life saver.
Just select the two languages you’ll be using, then tap the flag for your language and speak. The app will automatically translate and speak aloud in the other language. Then, if the person you’re speaking to wants to respond, they just tap the flag for their country and reply. Speak & Translate will automatically translate what they said back into your own language.
It can even use your location to automatically switch to the right language. Unfortunately, this app is only available for iPhone users at the moment, but hopefully an Android version will appear soon.
