What real-time translation means

Imagine you are on a business trip to Paris. Your company just launched a new prescription drug with great success in North America. Now you are ready to bring it to France – a market that has yet to see a drug like yours.

Upon arrival, you realize that those basic French classes you took in college are not going to get you through your trip. Although you know the basics, finding your way around the capital city is difficult. To make matters worse, the only samples of your product you have available are in English.

Enter: Real-time translation.

What is real-time translation?

Technology supporting the translation services industry continues to advance. Machine translations have worked for years to translate text from one language to another. While those continue to advance, a new type of machine translation is also leaving its mark on the industry.

Real-time translation is similar to enhanced machine translation in that a computer translates text from one language to another. The difference with real-time translation is that images of text are recognized and then translated, instead of text typed into a text box on a computer screen. For example, you can take a picture of a stop sign, and the word “Stop” will be translated into the language you selected.

How to use it

There are a variety of types of real-time translation apps. The benchmark app that’s taking the world by storm (and was recently purchased by Google) is Word Lens.

To use Word Lens, select the language you want to translate to. Then, point your smartphone’s camera at any small amount of text, such as a sign, menu, or short blurb. It will instantly detect the characters, and then display a translation of the text. You don’t have to push any extra buttons or go through any extra steps. It all happens before your eyes.

There are still a few small kinks to work out in the app. For example, it struggles to translate handwritten or cursive text. Also, it is sensitive to camera movement, making it difficult to transfer translated images to a still shot.

In spite of these minor glitches, the app is changing the way people travel. Because it does not rely on an Internet connection to work, it is ideal for international travelers. It is especially beneficial for professionals trying to make a mark in a foreign country.

How real-time translation can empower your international business

As you go to your next meeting overseas, you prepare for communication stumbling blocks. For example, eating out, getting around, and making your sales pitch can all become significantly more difficult in another language. Real-time translation apps, such as Word Lens, can help you overcome these roadblocks.

Here are a few examples of when having a real-time translation can help:

You just landed at the airport and need to find where you are meeting your colleagues or prospects. Using a real-time translator you can navigate through foreign cities faster and easier, getting to your crucial appointments on time.
You are waiting on the final professional translation of your product packaging and information, but you still need to show what your product labels say. Use real-time translation to instantly show an example of your product in another language, making it easier for the buyer to understand.
You brought a proposal to review with your foreign partner. Instead of relying on him to fully understand the contract in your native language, use a real-time translation device to clear up any ambiguities. It makes in-person negotiations easier and saves time by clearing up any disputes before translating the official legal document to sign.

Before your next trip, download Word Lens. Having easy, fast real-time translation at your fingertips will help you make a longer lasting impression in the country you visit. This could increase your chances of expanding into new markets. Although real-time translation only works with small amounts of text, these short translations could open the door to long-term partnerships.

Image: PhotoSpin