Google Translate helping to break down Language Barriers as an iPad App
Online language software Google Translate is now available as a native iPad app. The software is able to translate phrases between any combinations of languages in its extensive library, and even has speech-to-text and text-to-speech capabilities. Although the speech recognition is still flawed, if used slowly and carefully, it will be able to break down language barriers.
The benefit of online translation tools is that it can make all corners of the Internet accessible to nearly everyone, regardless of native tongue. Although they are no substitute for actually learning a new language, automated language software still has its merits.
The app, however, requires constant Internet connection to function correctly, which is not ideal for the international tourist, as Wi-Fi is not always readily available. It is also not advisable to rely on data roaming, as using 3G abroad is almost always very expensive.
Nevertheless, Google Translate is helpful is several circumstances. Its library contains many languages, from Afrikaans to Hindi, to Icelandic to Maltese to Yiddish. It even has an automatic language detector if you are unaware of what language you are hearing.
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