BajaNomad

Google Translate?

caj13 - 10-28-2019 at 08:24 AM

anybody tried using Google Translate down in Baja.

My Spanish is very limited and mish-mashed together with Portuguese as well. I have always gotten by down there, but it's frustrating some times.

so I'm thinking google translate may be a good way to communicate. You can talk into it, set it to conversation, or even take photos of sighs etc and it will translate.

Of course, it is l; limited to when you have phone coverage, but I figure it might come in handy at a checkpoint or some other situation when complex communications are needed.

It's a free app - but I'm wondering if anyone has real-world experience with it?

[Edited on 10-28-2019 by caj13]

StuckSucks - 10-28-2019 at 08:40 AM

I've used the app for several years with varied degrees of success -- I use it for text, signs, product packaging, etc. Have not used it to translate speech yet.

A year ago, my wife and I were renting bikes in Loreto and the lady in the shop spoke zero English. But she had Google translate on her laptop, so we just typed what we wanted -- the communication worked flawlessly.

PaulW - 10-28-2019 at 08:43 AM

Works offline
Very useful
I use it to read Mx labels
I use it with a second phone to translate Mx messages from Telcel.
I have a workman that uses it to translate his Mx voice to english

Nikno - 10-28-2019 at 09:28 AM

Google Translate works quite well. It's not infallible but for the most part it can help in almost every situation. In situations where detail is important, you can have a whole conversation by typing in what you want to say and handing the phone to the other person and then having them type in what they say back to you.

Also, if you go into settings and then "Offline Translation" you can save the Spanish - English dictionary to the phone and it will be available at all times even if you have no service.

Bob and Susan - 10-28-2019 at 12:06 PM

you don't even have to type ANYTHING

just talk

it talks back in spanish or English

works good

kiterkip - 10-28-2019 at 01:11 PM

The newer hearing aids these days will sync with an iPhone and live translate while you are in a conversation. Just set the phone down or hold it... it will bluetooth the translation into your hearing aids.

But...I have an Android and this won't work. I'm hearing on forums that it's nothing short on a miracle.

caj13 - 10-28-2019 at 02:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by kiterkip  
The newer hearing aids these days will sync with an iPhone and live translate while you are in a conversation. Just set the phone down or hold it... it will bluetooth the translation into your hearing aids.

But...I have an Android and this won't work. I'm hearing on forums that it's nothing short on a miracle.


wow, that sounds great, but how does the other person participate? they just hear it on the phone I guess?

Bob and Susan - 10-28-2019 at 04:22 PM

yes they hear it on YOUR phone...

then they talk into THEIR phone and you listen to that

it works

pacificobob - 10-28-2019 at 04:26 PM

Or....just learn the language. All that is needed is some discipline. The reward is well worth the effort.

[Edited on 10-28-2019 by pacificobob]

kiterkip - 10-29-2019 at 06:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by caj13  
Quote: Originally posted by kiterkip  
The newer hearing aids these days will sync with an iPhone and live translate while you are in a conversation. Just set the phone down or hold it... it will bluetooth the translation into your hearing aids.

But...I have an Android and this won't work. I'm hearing on forums that it's nothing short on a miracle.


wow, that sounds great, but how does the other person participate? they just hear it on the phone I guess?


The other person, the one speaking Spanish, simply continues speaking in their native language. It's up to you to try and respond in Spanish. They would be unaware of the translator.

BajaMama - 10-29-2019 at 07:46 AM

I use it in a limited cell service area. If this is your case, make sure you download Spanish to your device and put your device in airplane when you want to use. Otherwise it will try to use slow cell service.

kiterkip - 10-30-2019 at 07:41 AM

Did you all know that you can also hold your Google Translate phone camera up to any sign, menu, letter, etc and it will translate? Pretty cool.
I've been coming to Mexico for 45 years, high school and college Spanish.... but I still use this tool on occasion.

BajaMama - 10-30-2019 at 02:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by kiterkip  
Did you all know that you can also hold your Google Translate phone camera up to any sign, menu, letter, etc and it will translate? Pretty cool.
I've been coming to Mexico for 45 years, high school and college Spanish.... but I still use this tool on occasion.


I did not but mucho gracias.

queseyo - 10-30-2019 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
Or....just learn the language. All that is needed is some discipline. The reward is well worth the effort.

[Edited on 10-28-2019 by pacificobob]


Lo que dijiste, Pacificobob!
IMHO the #1 thing to do to improve your Baja experience.

BajaBlanca - 10-31-2019 at 08:04 AM

We used google translate when some American friends came to Poland. You can speak quickly and the translation comes flawlessly over the phone.

Just amazin!

pacificobob - 11-1-2019 at 05:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by queseyo  
Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
Or....just learn the language. All that is needed is some discipline. The reward is well worth the effort.

[Edited on 10-28-2019 by pacificobob]


Lo que dijiste, Pacificobob!
IMHO the #1 thing to do to improve your Baja experience.


Gracias y bienvenidos

caj13 - 11-2-2019 at 06:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
Or....just learn the language. All that is needed is some discipline. The reward is well worth the effort.

[Edited on 10-28-2019 by pacificobob]

I would agree with you Bob, but I have a bit of an issue. Due to my work, i spend a good deal of time in Brazil, so i need Portuguese, just finishing work in Sweden, and work fairly regularly in Japan.

I have the damndest time staying in one language. I get caught up between Portuguese and Spanish all the time, frustrating as hell!

caj13 - 11-3-2019 at 07:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by caj13  
Due to my work, i spend a good deal of time in Brazil, so i need Portuguese, just finishing work in Sweden, and work fairly regularly in Japan..
Aha! So you're the one responsible for the United States' piggish carbon footprint. :lol:

You ever get tired of so much air travel? :barf:


Not really - the getting to the flight / security - yeah, but in most cases I'm there for 2 - 4 weeks at a time, so it's not overly bad doing the flying.