Portable Language Translator Devices

During the last couple of days, I have been receiving many advertisements about different Portable language translator devices on the Internet. I do not know if this happens because tourism is reopening following months of closures due to Pandemic or because my devices “know” about my interest in languages. 

I decided to take a look at these devices, their features and advantages. Back in 2018, I wrote an article where I briefly talked about them. You can read it here. 

I found out that those devices are now much more advanced than last time I read about them, and there are many more options in the market. I watched and read different reviews. I am not going to detail this time which pages I visited and I am not going to name any specific brand. You can easily find them on the Internet. 

 Most of the disadvantages that existed back in 2018 have been overcome. The new devices are now much more accurate and they are not limited to just short phrases, but they can work with longer statements. Some devices now have the capacity to work in offline mode, which is perfect if you go to a place where there’s no internet or connections tend to be faulty. You can use them in many more situations, for example, you can use those devices in business meetings. Some devices provide translations in more than 100 languages (Although you need an internet connection to work in all those languages and, in many cases, only one way translation is available). 

The range of advantages has increased to the point that some portable translators can work easily with more than 2 languages at the same time and interconnection between different devices is possible, making them ideal for international business meetings. Some of them provide transcription of speech, text translation and image translation through a camera, something ideal when you visit a country where they use a totally different writing system. Other improved features include better recording capacities and more continuous use time after charge batteries. One of the brands also advertises that the app gives you the possibility to connect the user to a professional interpreter in case a more complex situation arises. 

Some common disadvantages remain: those devices still face problems to translate accurately in situations where conversations happen in dialects, or double meaning phrases are used. Some languages, especially minority languages are not available. There can be even limitations based on geographical areas (Most of them still need Internet connection for better results). 

Another important point is that not all the translators have the best solution for every situation or language. It is still a good idea before travelling to research first and based on geographical area to be visited and prospective languages to be used select the best translation device for that specific trip. 

The novel Coronavirus outbreak has affected International travel. Many travellers were caught in the middle of a health crisis without the possibility of properly communicating with local authorities or health professionals. We have learnt that English language might not be as powerful as we thought for international travel and extra resources are needed to overcome language barriers amid an emergency. 

The existence of the different translator devices with improved capacities is good news for international travel. Tourists can rely in a device that will help them to communicate more effectively in a wide range of circumstances that they could find during their trip. Those devices will not substitute professional interpreters: we still need their professional help when more challenging situations arise.