New buttons add new capabilities to the Google Translate app
The “Understand” button provides the reasoning behind a specific translation. It shows additional context and insight about the translated text. Such insights include:
Grammar explanations that take a deep dive into the sentence structure.
Word sense and idioms. This explains how and why certain words or phrases were interpreted and translated
Cultural notes explain how politeness levels or gender impacts the translation.
The “Ask” button will allow the user to ask AI to ask for a customized or improved translation. For example, you can ask for:
A translation using a different tone such as formal, casual, or simplified.
Ask for alternative translations.
Ask to see a regional variant of the translation.
Ask AI to use something specific in a sentence.
These two AI buttons are considered experimental
With this feature, Google Translate does more than provide you with a translation. Now, the app will give you the reasoning behind a certain translation and give you the tools needed to get a translation that matches your specific needs.
Larger font makes translated words easer to see
Learn a new language using the Google Translate app
Google Translate product manager Matt Sheets says, “We’re going far beyond simple language-to-language translation.” He added that the app now will allow users to “listen and speak with confidence on the topics you care about.” This comment is in line with Google’s previous announcement made during the summer that the Translate app would be more educational and offer Duolingo style lessons.
Open the Google Translate app and at the bottom right of the display there is a button that says “Practice.” You can choose to put English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese on the screen while you learn Spanish or French. You can also select your current level of the language you want to learn from Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced.
- Talk to my partner and their family.
- Getting around the city.
- I want to get a better job.
- Talk to my partner and their family.
You can also choose to learn how to handle professional conversations, everyday interactions, and how to speak with friends and family. You can learn how to speak your second language while attending school or university, discussing arts, culture, and entertainment, and when navigating travel and transportation.
Googler Sheets wrote back in August, “Whether you’re an early learner looking to begin practicing conversation or an advanced speaker looking to brush up on vocabulary for an upcoming trip, Translate can now create tailored listening and speaking practice sessions just for you. These interactive practices are generated on-the-fly and intelligently adapt to your skill level.” The language feature is considered to be in Beta.
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Good news everyone! Over the past year we’ve been working on an exciting passion project of ours and we’re thrilled to announce it will be ready to release in just a few short months.
