caj13
Super Nomad
Posts: 1002
Registered: 8-1-2017
Member Is Offline
|
|
Google Translate?
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 2327
Registered: 10-17-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3085
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Junior Nomad
Posts: 90
Registered: 7-12-2019
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
you don't even have to type ANYTHING
just talk
it talks back in spanish or English
works good
|
|
|
kiterkip
Nomad
Posts: 139
Registered: 10-17-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1002
Registered: 8-1-2017
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
yes they hear it on YOUR phone...
then they talk into THEIR phone and you listen to that
it works
|
|
|
pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2311
Registered: 4-23-2006
Member Is Online
|
|
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
Nomad
Posts: 139
Registered: 10-17-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
Mood: Got Baja fever!!
|
|
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
Nomad
Posts: 139
Registered: 10-17-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
Mood: Got Baja fever!!
|
|
| 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
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 10-21-2013
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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.
"Just remember; we're all here because we're not all there." Unknown Nomad
|
|
|
BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13204
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 2311
Registered: 4-23-2006
Member Is Online
|
|
| 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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1002
Registered: 8-1-2017
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1002
Registered: 8-1-2017
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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. 
You ever get tired of so much air travel?  |
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.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
