This weekend is Memorial Day, summer’s first major holiday, I couldn’t help think about ice cream and the Baskin-Robbins famous “31 Flavors” slogan as I read about Google’s announcement of offering 41 flavors (languages) of instant translation.
Don Quichotte Website and Magazine Contest Entry
The May 19 Gmail blog refers to a new one-click automatic message translation capability (via an integrated Gmail Labs app) for 41 languages, including Turkish, Thai and Estonian.
At first glance we often think of the more exotic and difficult languages yet this feature has fantastic practical applications. Many organizations these days are staffed with people that still use NON-English language as their primary communication. This feature can aid and simplify communicating a more clear and complete message versus trying to get by with simple short statements under these circumstances.
Further native Gmail (with Labs compatibility) can effectively be used on an G1 (Google Android Phone), iPhone, Blackberry and other fully enabled Web mobile devices. Thus, while in a foreign land with a WIFI or Internet link you could have a personal translator. Granted this involves typing but since it can be done directly in email – now a universal style of exchange – it simplifies the issue greatly!
I encourage all readers to post a comment offering simple, practical and creative suggestions as to where “instant language translation via sending an email” would / could / should be used.
