E-ging Solutions is a world-leading Shanghai translation company with specialties in Translation and Interpretation.

People need translation and interpreting services for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a quick machine translation is all that is needed, perhaps to translate some words on a postcard that was sent by a vacationing friend. Other times a certified translation is needed, perhaps to translate a birth certificate for immigration purposes.

Whether you need translation for professional, educational, or personal reasons, it is always helpful to have an arsenal of translation tools in your back pocket. Whether you want to make sure that the translator you hired is on the right track, or if you just want to be able to quickly get the gist of an item in a foreign language, here is a list of some of the handiest tools in translation.

1. Google Translate or Bing Translate
Both Google Translate and Bing Translate are fairly ubiquitous, offering solid, dependable machine translation services. They’re also now available as apps for your mobile device, making them an even more convenient foundation for any translation layman. Something that sets Google Translate apart is being able to hear a native-speaking algorithm speak phrases to you, so that you can learn them or parrot them back when necessary. And something that sets Bing Translate apart is being able to photograph text and have the translation appear right in front of you on the screen.

2. WordLens
WordLens is an incredible app that, using the camera feature on your phone and can translate things like signs and menus right before your eyes. Since Google acquired WordLens, it has become available for free to download to your device and really does work like magic. It doesn’t require an internet connection: simply download the app and hold up your camera phone to the item you need translated, et voila! Instant translation. It’s still a fairly new idea and doesn’t work perfectly, and the number of languages it can translate is limited. But it really is a one-of-a-kind app, and it’s great for travelers.

3. iTranslate Voice
This is a fantastic app for speaking foreign languages. All you have to do is speak your phrase into your mobile device. Then, iTranslate will repeat your phrase just as you said it before translating it into your chosen language and speaking the new text aloud. It’s a great tool for language learners and it’ll help you get out of any sticky situations where you have to communicate with non-English speakers.