Many photographers traveling abroad would love to photograph strangers, but language can be a hurdle. Small talk that would get people to relax for a quick street portrait may not be possible for someone who barely knows how to say “may I take your picture” in the local language.
But wait. Of course! There’s an app for that.
Actually, there are several speech to speech translaters available. In fact, the look of surprise on the faces of the locals when your mobile device automatically translates for you (and them) is itself an awesome icebreaker. Even bad translations can be something to connect over and laugh about.
Some translation apps require internet connectivity. Since that might not be an option where you’re going, here are 3 translation apps that are fully functional on your smart phone or tablet without the internet, and one that only works with internet access.
Google Translate
You may know Google Translate from your browser, but it has gone moble, and speaks! In fact, it can instantly translate 32 languages as speech to speech. It also can do 52 text translations offline, 103 online.
Google Play
iTunes
iTranslate Voice3
Real-time Voice to voice translation. Described as “if Siri could speak 44 languages, this is what she’d sound like.” Plus, it also shows the conversation on your screen in instant messaging format. This offers both text to speech and speech-to-speech translation in 44 languages and dialects.
Naver Papago
Specifically translates Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, French, Indonesian, Spanish, and English. This app also asks users for context if there are multiple possible words to use. Both text and real-time voice translation with simultaneous conversation are supported.
iTunes
Google Play
If you do know you will have internet where you’re going, there’s this:
SayHi
Your voice is instantly translated into dozens of languages, and even into the desired dialect. For instance, it can differentiate between Algerian, Egyptian, Saudi and Yemenite Arabic, as well as the different dialects in all of the Spanish-speaking countries.
iOS only
Have you used a translator app in your travels? Which one? How did it go?
