Language Translation Application: Jibbigo

An application for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone Touch 3G called Jibbigo is one of the most popular applications to date which can now translate into Arabic. Arguably one of the smartest applications available, the creators Jibbigo recently released the fourth version which includes an Iraqi dialect of Arabic. The success of this application comes from its simple use and applicability ranging from casual travelers to doctors. Someone can simply speak into their iPhone in either English or another language and shortly a voice translates your words both orally and in a written form. Although not very cheap (the price ranges from $25 to $30), the application has various functions such as translating a road sign; someone can take a picture of the sign with the phone's camera and the application will interpret and translate the meaning of the sign.

Perhaps the most useful ability of this application is the voice-to-voice translation that occurs without the need for Internet connections. This makes the application vital in regions such as war zones in Iraq. The United States military has been giving iPhones to soldiers and officers in order to assist them and help break down language barriers in the Middle East. Jibbigo has further developments in store; originally designed for travelers, it makes mistakes when the translation does not pertain to travel or first aid.

While I think such technologies do serve as a great aid to soldiers and people in general where language barriers may exist, I do not think it should become the future of language. If anything, such technologies should be a temporary fix for the lack of fluency in certain languages. However in the long run, I hope these developments will not discourage people from actually learning languages themselves and simply relying on a device to do rudimentary translations for them. There are so many aspects of culture, history, and customs that are embedded within language and even the most advanced non-human translators cannot capture all of that.

Here's the article: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/050710-language-translation-app-jibbigo-goes.html?page=1