They can translate almost anything you want.
But you shouldnt lean on them when you travel.
In fact, I think you should use them as little as possibleif at all.
Google Translate and Microsoft Translator have bothevolved into more than competent translation tools.
With either one of these apps you could easily navigate around a foreign land without a hitch.
Language is more than a barrier to overcome when you go see whats beyond your front door.
Its how you begin to understand a culture.
As writerRita Mae Brownsaid, Language is the road map of a culture.
It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.
So by solely relying on a translation app, youre immediately cut off from a key component of understanding.
As embarrassing as sounding out new words might be for you, its heartwarming for them.
I experienced this first hand on my recent trip to Japan.
When I arrived, I was ready to bust out my phone at any moment.
But I quickly realized that I was looking at a fascinating culture through a filter.
I got help finding a hard-to-find item in a busy, seven-story shopping complex in Akihabara.
You see a lot of spectacular places and things when you travel.
And theres nothing like necessity and urgency when it comes to pushing you through those barriers.
When you keep your smartphone in your backpack, youhaveto rely on what youve learned.
It forces you to try and get better.
Theres no challenge, no thinking on your feet, and less adventurewhich means itll be less memorable.
When you speak someones languageeven just a little bityou invite possibility that wouldnt be there otherwise.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
