Google Translate for the iPhone/iTouch

Google has been great at coming out with new applications for the iPhone/iTouch. Last night they announced a new service that I think is really useful: a specialized interface for the iPhone/iTouch for Google Translate.

With the ubiquitous ability of the iPhone, and high speed 3G connection, this is a great find for any student traveling abroad, or anyone for that matter.

Google translate has really come a long way. I highly recommend it!!

Language Training Online (FREE) – Babbel.com Review

I am a foreign language guy by training, so anytime I see something about language training online I have to check it out.  Well, yesterday I came across a new site called babbel.com. (via Lifehacker).

I set up my free account, and was practicing my German in about 30 seconds.  It looks to teach you basic phrases that would be useful in a variety of different situations.  I haven’t spent a lot of time on the site yet, but it does look promising. 

Pro’s:

• LARGE selection of situations and vocabulary
• It is NOT just the normal vocab, but stuff you will actually use… today. 🙂  I did a section on going out at night and it taught me (or review) the words for flirting, getting a date, inviting someone out.  Actual useful phrases.

Con’s:

• The pronunciation appears to be computer generated.  Mostly it was good, but there were some things that were not pronounced right.  It won’t make you native, but it will work. 

The educational applications are obvious.  Great for classrooms.  You can even become training partners with other people.  Perhaps one day they will let you load your own training pictures/pronunciations up there.  That would be good for any teacher. 🙂 

Other thoughts?

Do Research in Languages you Don’t Speak

Today Google Translate launched a nice side by side search engine that might be useful for those researching in languages they don’t speak.  Just type in what you are looking for in English and what language you want to search.  There are 11 languages right now including very difficult languages like Chinese, Arabic, Korean and Japanese (not to mention the typical ones). 

The search results display in a nice double column format that is easy to compare.  I think that if we give this one a little more time it is going to become more and more prevalent across Google search products.  Keep your eyes out… and until then enjoy looking up the stuff you always wanted to know in other languages.