There is a large debate that revolves around the question of whether or not translation apps are actually useful and if they should be utilized. It is true that translation apps can give you a wildly distinct answer from the correct translation of many phrases, but they do have their handy side as well. Technology has come a long way and many apps are actually programmed to be able to translate common phrases and sayings in many languages, but this is not always the case, which is why you need to be careful when translating more than one word at a time. Translation apps come in handy for obvious reasons, whether you are in a Spanish speaking country and you have little to no knowledge of the language, or you just can’t think of that one word needed for you to complete your thought. However, they are also very useful in some not so obvious ways. Many Spanish translation apps give you more than just the translation you are looking for, but they also give some insight into the syntactic side of the language as well as phonetics. Translation apps can also be a great tool to practice if you are studying a language. They can be a great way to practice your pronunciation using the voice recognition technology to say words, phrases, and sentences. If they translation app picks up what you intend to say, so will a native speaker! In this post, we are going to be talking about the five best translation apps to get you through any sticky situation.
1. Google Translate
Google translate is probably the most popular and notorious translation applications out there, and that is not a coincidence. Google translate is very simple to use and user friendly, and has many translation options including text, voice, photo, and their newest option, two way voice conversation. All of these different options offer a variety of ways for users to translate their texts, phrases, and even conversations. One of the most popular features that google translates offers is its instant camera translation which allows users to take a picture of a text and translate it directly. Again, it is important to be aware that this is not always accurate, and translations can be misconstrued to convey a different meaning. Sometimes the meaning tends to get lost in translation, if you will.
2. Yandex
Yandex translation is another great translation platform that offers translations of 90 languages and Spanish is one of the best services that it offers. It may not be the most popular, and you may not have heard of it before, but it is definitely a hidden treasure among the more popular translation apps. Just like google translate, Yandex offers many different forms of translating for its users including voice, photo translation, and real time conversation. One very impressive feature that Yandex provides is that you can se the translation changing according to the context as you write. This makes it one of the most accurate Spanish translation apps, in comparison to the most popular translation apps, like google translate.
3. SpanishDict
SpanishDict is more of a dictionary than a translation app, but it is definitely valuable enough to make the list. SpanishDict not only offers accurate translations and terrific examples in context, but it also provides conjugation charts for all tenses and moods, so it serves as a great reference for Spanish language learners. SpanishDict also has other fun features like word of the day, classic Spanish jokes and sayings, and various articles that give you a look into the cultures of various Spanish Speaking countries. The application also offers grammar lessons, pronunciation practice, and games/quizzes to help you test your knowledge. It truly is one of the most useful Spanish learning apps out there, and the best part is that it is completely free!
4. Word Reference
Word Reference is another very useful application that is very useful if you are looking for a specific word, phrase, or meaning that you just can’t seem to find. Once again, as stated in the title of the application, Word Reference is more of a dictionary or reference for Spanish learners. It is a great tool for finding very specific meanings, learning coloquial usage of words, and even slang. Word reference is not as extensive as SpanishDict in the things that it offers, but it is a fabulous reference point. Word Reference also offers a word of the day, so that you can constantly be adding to your vocabulary. The difference between Word Reference and SpanishDict, is that Word Reference’s dictionary is much more extensive. Word Reference gives a comprehensive list of usages from many different Spanish speaking countries, so that you can identify the best translation in order to properly convey what you are trying to say, which a lot of other translation apps tend to lack.
5. iTranslate
The last translation app on my list is called iTranslate, and although it has limited functions compared to the other platforms on our list, it is has its highlights. This newer app is starting to make waves and become more and more popular due to its ability to translate over 80 languages. Just like the other translation applications that we have talked about, translate does text to text translation, and uses voice recognition technology as well. However, one of the perks that iTranslate offers is that you can record and log common questions, phrases, and words that you may find useful in a situation where you need to communicate with someone who speaks Spanish, even if you do not know the language. The only downfall is that it does require internet for translation use.
All in all, translation apps are definitely useful for a multitude of reasons, but it is important to choose the proper one in relation to your needs. Whether you have zero Spanish skills and are planning a big trip to a Spanish speaking country, or you are studying Spanish and you need an extra reference, or are even fluent in Spanish, but just cannot think of one specific word. No matter what the reason is, one of the applications discussed in this article will serve your needs. However, we do recommend that if you do not already study Spanish, that you start today! Learn more about our online Spanish classes and our TEFL Online
