Now that Google has the smartphone figured out, the next step is making it possible for everyone using a phone to be able to communicate with each other regardless of their languages. Yes, Google is working on a technology that will eliminate language barriers, meaning, for example Americans will be able to pick up their phone and call their friends in China without the need for a translator. All the translation needed will be done in Google’s software. Google is hoping to build on its existing technology in voice recognition, automatic translation, and a huge database of “translated documents” to make this uphill task possible.
According to Franz Och, Google’s head of translation services, “We think speech-to-speech translation should be possible and work reasonably well in a few years’ time”.
This could mean an end to learning foreign languages. Read the complete story Here. If successful, it will definitely empower Google Voice, a service that is still in its early stage, thereby making Google a power house in telecommunication. Would Google be this first to create a universal language (in software)?
I don’t think Google has any idea of the technical difficulties. and the challenges of vocabulary and accent they will face.
I’ll stick with the non-technological solution – Esperanto.
Good luck to Google with their planned translator phone. I think they have underestimasted the complications they face!
My money is on a non-technological solution – Esperanto.