Translation apps to talk to the world

Need to have a conversation in a language you don’t know or make sense of a printed sign? With Google and Apple revving their machine-learning engines in their Google Translate and Apple’s Translate apps, there’s whole a new world of communication possibilities right in your pocket.

Do keep in mind that computer interpretation is not perfect. Third-party apps may be more in-depth. But these freebies can provide a general sense of things and become learning aids. Here’s a quick tour.

Pick Your Translator

Google Translate is in its 15th year and available on the web as a Chrome browser extension and as an Android and an iOS app.