Going to a country where you don’t speak the language can be stressful. Many travelers don’t really want to prepare for this beforehand and decide just to use Google Translate to try to get by. Unfortunately, this isn’t always a good idea for several reasons.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Rely On Google Translate When Traveling
Google Translate is Not Always Accurate
Travelers who depend on Google Translate will find that it can be pretty inaccurate at some inopportune times. Imagine trying to catch a connecting flight and using the app to decipher signs, only to find out that the meanings are lost in translation. It can cause you to miss your flight and be left with a lot of frustration.
Google Translate Doesn’t Account For Figures Of Speech
If you are trying to have a conversation with a foreigner who speaks another language Google Translate won’t take into account figures of speech. Both you and the person you are talking to might end up not being able to communicate with one another. You could also inadvertently offend them with something you say.
It’s Impossible To Keep Up
While Google Translate may be good for short phrases, it might not be so good for longer phrases. In order to get an accurate translation you often have to speak a lot slower than you actually talk in order for the app to keep up. This can mean that it takes quite a while to get even a simple translation.
Not Great For Your Phone’s Battery Life
During your travels you will probably be on the go a lot and not always have time to stop and plug in your phone. Google Translate can kill your battery fairly quickly if you plan to use it often. This is very inconvenient especially if you are relying on it, but yet, don’t have a lot of battery life to spare.
In conclusion, while phone translation apps are great, you should never rely on them 100% of the time. If you plan on going to a country that speaks a different language than you, consider learning some key phrases in their native language. 15 minutes a day for 3 weeks is all it takes to feel comfortable having a basic conversation. Check out our post on How To Learn A Foreign Language From The Comfort Of Your Couch. If that simply doesn’t appeal to you, then you may want to seek the assistance of a guide to help you navigate your way around. Not all guides are expensive, and they can prove to be worth the money that you spend in order to make getting around and communicating with the locals a lot easier. Escorted tours are a great way to travel which include a guide. Escorted trips have changed a lot over the years and offer more time in each city and more free time as well.
Other helpful blogs when traveling internationally include Staying Safe While Traveling Abroad & How to Understand Currency When Traveling, Have a long flight coming up? We share some key advice on how to make it through: Tips for Flying Overseas
Translation tools are just one part of navigating Europe as an outsider. For more practical advice, our Common Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Europe guide covers the language and communication pitfalls experienced travelers have already learned.
