Cisco on Tuesday announced free-real, time translation for Webex, its fast-growing videoconferencing platform. The feature, available in preview this month and generally available in May, will translate spoken English into captions in any one of more than 100 languages.
Real-time translation in so many languages will help create "a level playing field for users regardless of factors like language or geography," Jeetu Patel, SVP and GM Security and Applications for Cisco, said in a statement. "Enabling global Real Time Translations is another step toward powering an Inclusive Future, and an important component of driving better communication and collaboration across teams."
Cisco previously said it would offer real-time translation from English to more than 10 languages -- now, Webex says its language library has dramatically expanded. Translations are available in commonly-used languages, such as Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish, as well as more localized languages like Danish, Hindi, Malay, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Cisco noted that the feature could be a clear money-saver for organizations, citing a recent report from Metrigy on intelligent virtual assistants that found that nearly 24 percent of participants have meetings that include non-English native speakers. Of those participants, more than half have been using third-party services to translate meetings into other languages, incurring an average cost of $172 per meeting.
Webex, like other video conferencing and cloud collaboration tools, has reported major jumps in usage since the Covid-19 pandemic started, driving remote work. Earlier this month, when it released its second quarter financial results, Cisco reported that Webex saw double-digit revenue growth in the quarter. The platform has nearly 600 million quarterly average users and connects more than 6 billion calls every month globally.
"We are bringing incredible innovation to the collaboration market at an unprecedented pace," CEO Chuck Robbins during a Q2 earnings conference call.
Back in December, Cisco debuted a revamped Webex experience that combines calling, meetings and messaging into one app via Webex Teams. The revamped platform also added capabilities on the meetings side like automatic noise cancellation, searchable transcriptions and closed captioning. All told, Cisco debuted more than 50 Webex product updates and teased upcoming features like gesture recognition.
Translate website content from one language to another, or learn how to use the Translate app in iOS 14 to communicate more effectively between two non-native speakers while on the go.
Image: Cory Bohon/TechRepublic
Apple is taking on Google Translate and other translation services and utilities by creating its own translation integration in iOS 14. There's a new app in iOS 14 on iPhone that lets you easily translate blocks of text or speech directly into one the supported languages, or use Safari on iOS 14 on iPhone or iPad to easily translate websites into another supported language.
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More about Apple
The best part about Apple's translation app and service is that it's not really a service—rather, the translation is done on-device, which makes it easy to download specific languages and translate voice, text, or conversations when in a cellular-limited area (often when traveling abroad).
I'll go over how to use both of these tools to allow for easier communication between two non-native speakers (or website content). Plus, it's all built right into your device without any extra steps needed.
How to get the Apple Translate app
By default, the Apple translate app is installed on your iPhone when you upgrade to iOS 14; however, if you've deleted the app, then you can easily reinstall it from the App Store by searching "Apple Translate" in the search field and re-installing it by tapping the download button, or by going to this App Store link.
How to translate text with the Apple Translate app
Text, words, and small paragraphs are most often the things that need quick translations while reading or quickly conversing with someone. The Apple Translate app can easily handle this task.
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Opening the Translate app will present you with an "Enter Text" prompt. Two buttons at the top let you swap between the entered language text and the language that the text should be translated into (Figure A).
Figure A
Type text into the field, then select "Go" to translate the text from the entered language into the selected translation language.
Select from languages by tapping on the left button and select a language (you can select from Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Simplified, English UK, English U.S., French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish).
By default, the app will automatically detect the language you've entered, but you can disable this feature by tapping on the language button at the top, then scroll to the bottom and disable the toggle for "Automatic Detection."
SEE: Apple Watch Series 6: A cheat sheet (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
Whenever you enter text and perform a translation (Figure A), you will be presented with a card that displays the translation at the top of the screen, and you have the ability to favorite a translation for later by tapping the star icon; tapping the book icon will present a dictionary view that lets you tap on individual words to get their definition—handy when the translation leads you to a word that you're not familiar with; finally, tapping the Play button will have Siri recite the translated text back to you.
Any text that is favorited will appear in the "Favorites" tab available from the bottom of the screen; this view also displays any recent translations that have been performed in the app as well.
How to translate conversations with the Apple Translate app
One of the more advanced abilities of the Translate app is the ability for your device to be used to facilitate in-person communication, letting two non-native speakers carry on a conversation in real time.
Enter this mode by turning your device into landscape. Two large blocks of text will appear, one for you (on the left), and one for the other speaker (on the right). Tap the microphone icon to begin the conversation process (Figure B).
Figure B
Conversation translation easily lets two non-native speakers communicate with one another through dual translations.
As you speak, the text is automatically translated into the second language so that the non-native speaker can read what you've said in their own language. They can then tap the microphone icon and speak in their native language, and their text will be transcribed in your language for you to read and respond. During the translation process, the other speaker can tap on the play button to have the translation spoken in their language. You can continue this process and carry on a near real-time communication in person.
SEE: iPhone 12: A cheat sheet (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
You can also use this feature to get someone's attention easily (for instance, ordering in a non-native speaking restaurant). Rotate your device into landscape, tap the microphone icon to speak, then tap on the expand icon in the bottom left. The translated text will be presented full screen for easier visibility (Figure C).
Figure C
Attention mode lets you easily grab someone's attention through a full-screen translation that's easier to read.
How to download languages for offline translation
The Apple Translate app works well for communication, but what if you wish to take the app into a country or location where you don't have cellular service to perform the translation? Fortunately, Apple thought about this and has a solution: You can download the supported languages and take them on the go with you in offline mode.
In order to download the supported languages to your device and use them in offline mode, simply tap on the language selection at the top of the screen, then scroll to the bottom section labeled "Available Offline Languages" (some languages may not be available in offline mode, but the supported ones are listed here) (Figure D).
Figure D
Downloading languages for offline translation is as easy as tapping the ones you want.
Tap on the download button beside the languages you wish to download, and when the process is complete, the translation can be handled when no cellular or Wi-Fi connection is available to your iOS device. If you wish to delete the downloaded language, simply swipe left on the name, then select "Delete."
How to translate websites with Safari on iOS and iPadOS 14
As you browse the web, you may encounter websites that are written in a different language. When this happens, you may copy and paste the text between the website and the Translate app, or get frustrated and just move along to another website. There's a better way, however, as Apple has built-in translation into iOS and iPadOS 14's Safari web browser.
Whenever you encounter a website that is written in a different language than your own, you can easily translate the entire website into your own language for easier reading by doing the following:
Select the text button inside the left of the address / search bar
Select "Translate to X" (where X is the language your device is set to) (Figure E)
Figure E
Translating a website from the original language into your device language is easy in Safari for iOS and iPadOS 14.
Image: Cory Bohon/TechRepublic
After doing this, the website will reload and be translated on the fly into your device's language. This feature is currently in Beta, so if you encounter an issue with the translation process, you can report issues directly to Apple by tapping the text button again and selecting "Report Translation Issue." The URL will be transmitted to Apple, and it will use the report to make this feature more robust in the future.
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Dutch writer Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, who won the International Booker Prize in 2020, has withdrawn from a project to translate Black American poet Amanda Gorman's work following a backlash against the commission.
Rijneveld, who is White and non-binary, announced they were to work on the project with publisher Meulenhoff on February 23, only to say they had handed back the commission three days later.
"I am shocked by the uproar around my involvement in the spread of the Amanda Gorman's message, and I understand the people who feel hurt by Meulenhoff's decision to ask me," wrote Rijneveld.
Critics of the appointment questioned why a White writer had been chosen to translate the work of a Black writer.
Dutch cultural activist Janice Deul questioned the move in an op-ed for Dutch outlet De Volkskrant, published February 25.
Gorman is the US youth poet laureate. Credit:Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
"An incomprehensible choice, in my opinion and that of many others who expressed their pain, frustration, anger, and disappointment via social media," wrote Deul.
Gorman describes herself as a "skinny black girl," said Deul.
"And her work and life have been colored by her experience and identity as a black woman. Is it -- to say the least -- not a missed opportunity to hire Marieke Lucas Rijneveld for this job?" she added, pointing out that the Dutch writer has "no experience in this area."
"Nothing to detriment of Rijnveld's qualities, but why not choose a writer who -- just like Gorman -- is a spoken word artist, young, female, and unapologetically Black?," said Deul.
Rijneveld said they thought it was "a great and honorable assignment" to translate "The Hill We Climb," the poem which Gorman read at US President Joe Biden's inauguration, as well as the poet's first collection of poems.
Youth poet laureate recites her stunning poem at Biden inauguration
"Amanda's team have said that they still stand behind Meulenhoff's choice and I thank her for the trust that has been placed in me. What interests me is the richness of language," they wrote.
"I happily devoted myself to translating Amanda's work, in which I saw the greatest task as keeping her power, tone, and style. But I am well aware that I am in a position to think and feel like that, where many are not. I still wish that her ideas reach as many readers as possible, and opens many hearts."
Gorman retweeted Rijneveld's tweet revealing the commission when it was announced on February 23.
CNN has contacted Gorman's representatives for comment.
Meulenhoff said it understood Rijneveld's decision in a statement published on Twitter on Friday.
"We want to learn from this, through dialogue, and we are going to walk down a different path with the new insights," said Maaike le Noble, Meulenhoff general director, in the statement.
"We are looking for a team to work with to translate Amanda's words and message of hope and inspiration as best as possible, and in her spirit."
CNN has contacted Meulenhoff for further comment.
Deul then responded in a tweet which included images of the statements from Meulenhoff and Rijneveld: "Thank you for this decision."
Gorman is the US youth poet laureate and was one of the breakout stars of Biden's presidential inauguration.
As well as moving onlookers in Washington and around the world, the Los Angeles native also impressed with her vivid fashion choices.
Gorman later signed with IMG Models, one of the world's biggest modeling agencies, which represents fashion heavyweights like Kate Moss and Gisele Bündchen.
Sometimes when you’re browsing the web, you might run into a website that’s not written in English. You might feel inclined to close the window and move on.
But if you’re using Google Chrome, there’s no need for that. The browser has excellent features when it comes to translation. By default, it offers users to translate pages that are not in the browser’s native language.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to translate pages with Google Chrome and how to set it up to work best for you. We’ll also troubleshoot potential problems you might come across.
How to Translate a Page in Google Chrome
If you have found yourself on a foreign website you want to purchase an item from, for example, that can cause an issue, especially in the checkout section.
And if the website doesn’t offer multiple languages to choose from, Google Chrome comes to the rescue. You can translate a page using your PC, laptop, or mobile devices, and we’ll guide you through all the steps.
Firstly, Windows and Mac users who use Chrome will see the “Translate” window pop up in the top right-hand corner of the screen if they open a webpage with a foreign language.
You can select to have the page translated to Chrome’s default language or tap on three vertical dots and select “Choose another language.”
The webpage will promptly be translated into the language you’ve selected. And even if you open another website in a different language, Chrome will offer the newly chosen language.
How to Translate a Page in Google Chrome on iPad
If you’re reading something on your iPad and happen to open a page with a foreign language on your iOS Chrome app, by default, the browser will offer to translate the page.
You will be able to see this option at the bottom of the screen. A small panel will pop-up, and it will automatically detect the foreign language. Chrome will also offer an option to click on the language your browser is set to.
And if you tap on it, it will instantly translate the page. The panel will promptly disappear after that. However, if you want to translate the page to another language, you can change it by following these steps:
To change the default language Chrome offers, tap on the gear icon on the panel at the bottom of the screen.
Select “More languages,” and scroll through the list of languages, and select the one you’re looking for.
Google Chrome will automatically switch to the language of your choice and translate the entire page.
How to Translate Page in Google Chrome on iPhone
iPhone users can translate a page in the Google Chrome app the same way iPad users do. The mobile app browser works in the same way on both iOS tablets and smartphones.
Also, when you’re accessing this feature on a mobile app, choosing “More languages” and switching from the one Chrome offers to another is only something you can do once. Unless you change the default language in settings.
How to Translate a Page in Google Chrome on Android
Android users are not left out when it comes to having the incredibly useful feature of translating webpages. If you own an Android tablet or smartphone, all you need Chrome mobile app you can find on Play Store. Make sure it’s the updated version for optimal performance.
The steps on how to translate a page in Google Chrome on Android are nearly identical to those for iOS devices. The only difference is that instead of tapping the gear icon, you have three vertical dots on the panel at the bottom.
How to Force Translate a Page in Google Chrome
When you choose to translate a page in Google Chrome following the steps above, and nothing happens, the first remedy is to refresh the page. Sometimes that’s all it takes for Chrome to deliver the translation.
But there are times when Chrome doesn’t automatically show the translation bar when you run into a page in a foreign language. Perhaps you’ve opted out of having a translation on that language before, so now Chrome doesn’t suggest it.
Fortunately, you can force a translation. In a web browser, you’ll find the translate icon on the right-hand side of the address bar. By clicking it, you’ll see the translate bar appear just underneath. In Chrome app, both Android and iOS, that looks like this:
Open the Chrome app and tap on the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner.
Select the “Translate…” option.
The panel on the bottom of the screen will appear, and you can continue to select the language.
How to Use an Extension to Translate a Page in Google Chrome
One of the more popular Google products is the Google Translate app. It’s available as the web version and as a mobile app. But there is also the Google Translate extension for Chrome.
You can only install this extension to your desktop web browser. It’s not available for Chrome mobile app. You can find it here and have it among your other Chrome extension in no time. There are two ways you can use this Chrome extension.
The first way is to select specific sections of text on a webpage, click on the extension, and provide the translation to Chrome’s default language. The extension will detect the language automatically.
The second way to use the extension is to translate the entire webpage, even if it’s in Chrome’s default language. On any page, click on the Google Translate extension. A small panel will appear at the top of the screen, and you can select a language from a drop-down menu.
How to Fix Unable to Translate a Page in Chrome
Whenever you have the issue of the translate feature in Chrome not working correctly, the first action should always be to refresh the page. Often, that’s all it takes, but there are instances where further troubleshooting is necessary.
If you get the “This page could not be translated” message or Chrome simply refuses to complete the translation of the page, you may be dealing with the outdated Chrome web cache situation. To fix it, you’ll have to clear Chrome’s cache and data. Here’s how:
Open Google Chrome on your computer and tap on the three dots in the top right-hand corner.
Select “More Tools” and then “Clear browsing data.”
Switch to the “Advanced” tab and check the “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.”
Select “Clear data.”
That’s all there is to it. Don’t worry, this won’t sign you out of your Google account, and all your sign-in data and passwords will be saved.
For Chrome mobile app, go to Settings in your phone and in the Apps, list finding Chrome, and manually clear cache and data.
How to Change Your Default Translation Settings in Chrome
In Chrome for desktop, whenever you choose a different language to translate a webpage, that language remains until you change it.
On the other hand, in Chrome for mobile devices, you have to do this manually. Otherwise, it will switch to the previously set language. Here’s how to change the default translation in Chrome for Android and iOS devices:
When you open a page in a foreign language, Chrome will prompt the translation panel at the bottom of the screen.
Select three dots on Android or the gear icon on an iOS device.
Tap “Always translate pages in [language].”
You might need to refresh the page to launch new settings.
How to Turn Translation On or Off in Chrome
If you don’t need Chrome’s service of translating pages in different languages, you can easily disable them. All you need to do is tap on one toggle switch in Chrome’s advanced settings. Here’s how to find it:
Open Chrome on your desktop and select the three dots in the top right-hand corner.
Select “Settings” and then “Advanced.”
Under the “Languages” section, click on “Language.”
Uncheck the “Offer to translate pages that aren’t in a language you read.”
You won’t receive prompts from Chrome to translate pages unless you turn on this feature again. Also, the steps to turn on or off translation in Chrome mobile app are nearly identical. You won’t have the “Advanced” to select.
Additional FAQs
1. How to Search Text on a Page in Chrome?
If you’re using a Windows or Mac computer, searching text in anything is made simple by pressing CTRL + F or Command + F on your keyboard. This includes any page you open with Chrome.
However, there’s another way to do it on your PC using Chrome. Go to the main menu (three dots) and select “Find…” Then enter the words you’re looking for and hit enter.
On your mobile device, you won’t have the option to use the keyboard shortcut, but you will be able to find the same except it will say “Find in page.” Type in the word or phrase you’re searching for and tap on the arrow.
2. How to Disable Website Translation in Chrome?
To disable the translation feature in Chrome entirely, you’ll need to navigate the browser’s advanced language settings and turn off the feature. If you have a Google Translate extension, you might want to remove that too.
3. How Can I Translate a Webpage to English in Chrome?
If your Chrome’s UI is already set to English, it will automatically offer English to you when you’re on a web page written in a different language. If it’s not, then you’ll have to change the default settings.
As mentioned in the desktop Chrome version, that change will be permanent once you switch to another language. In the mobile app, you’ll need to change the settings manually to English.
4. Why Is Translate Page Missing in Chrome?
There could be several reasons why the translate page feature is not available in Chrome. It could be that it’s disabled, which means you’ll have to enable it manually. Another option is that your browser is not working optimally, and you have to clear cookies and cache to fix it.
But it could also be that you need to update your Google Chrome browser. So, make sure to check which version of the browser you’re using, and if it’s not the latest, update it.
5. What’s the Plugin for Translating a Page in Chrome?
The best plugin for translation in Chrome is Google Translate. You can easily find it in Chrome’s web store and install it for free. It will give you the option to translate the entire webpage or only selected paragraphs, phrases, or words.
6. What’s the Shortcut for Translating a Page in Google Chrome?
To quickly access the translate page feature in Chrome, you can right-click on any page with the language you don’t read and from the menu, select “Translate to [language].”
7. Why Is Google Chrome’s Translate Page Feature Not Working?
There could be any number of reasons. Your browser needs an update. You might need to clear cache and data. The feature could also be disabled.
It’s also possible that you’ve previously selected the option for Chrome not to translate specific language in the future from the pop-up panel, and now you don’t see it anymore.
For example, you might have selected “Never translate French.” All you’d need to do is unselect that option, and Chrome will offer to translate French the next time you access a page that contains it.
Making the Most of Google Translate Page Feature
Many users choose Chrome as their default browser because it’s most compatible with other Google products. That’s why the Google Translate extension is so easily integrated into the desktop browser.
Chrome’s translate page feature is seamless and efficient, albeit not perfect, translates pages in various languages.
While there are some notable differences, both the desktop browser and mobile version offer a plethora of options and settings. Hopefully, you’re now comfortable using it while browsing, reading, or shopping.
How often do you use Google’s translation features? Let us know in the comments section below.
“The passengers had a whip round for the stewardesses, when they found out they have been made redundant,” said my friend who speaks English, but not our kind of English.
If you have been binge watching shows more than usual this past year, inevitably one or more will either be set in England or Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. Inevitably you may decide to turn on the captions, since understanding the accents becomes a challenge.
The movies and shows come highly recommended; therefore, you are motivated to indulge yourself and put in the effort to pay attention and decipher the words. Remember “The Full Monty”? I thought it referred to stripping, but it actually refers to taking something to the absolute limits, which they did. Time to watch that movie again, I remember it being delightful.
The accents present their own problem, but once you read the words or can hear the words, even then they don’t always make sense. Having been exposed to the Queen’s English through friends who moved here and Australian through a nephew by marriage, I can translate some of it, some of the time.
We all know boot means the trunk of the car and swimming costume is just their swimming suits, but when they wear Wellies, we might not know that refers to boots. Now we have come full circle and accept that they have a different word for everything.
This always reminds me of Winston Churchill quoting G.B. Shaw, “(We are) two nations divided by a common language.”
Having conversations is a bit easier than movies and series, because there are props and context, and the ability to ask what appear to be quite elementary questions like, “Why would anyone call the hood of the car a bonnet?”
I didn’t think they were actually offering us biscuits, since we had just finished dinner, but being polite I said, yes, of course. We were pleasantly surprised to be served a plate of sweet cookies, not savory Pillsbury-like pieces of dough.
Something as simple as pants can cause bewilderment in a conversation. I told my friend that I liked her pants and she wondered out loud, if her underwear was showing. Trousers are pants. Pants are underwear. Jumper isn’t a sleeveless dress worn over a blouse, as in a school uniform, a jumper is a sweater. My husband wondered if it had something to do with jumping a car battery, but that’s just a man for you.
Don’t even get me started on football. I thought David Beckham played soccer, but again I refrained from challenging until I deduced, they were talking about soccer, and the Packers had nothing to do with it.
When we lose the meaning of words, we lose the thread of the conversation. Don’t be discouraged, what’s lost “across the pond” can be revived once we’re in the flow of storyline. It is a good exercise in listening and paying full attention.
At times, it might be easier to say “bugger off” when you tire of missing the gist of conversation. However, when you discover the truly offensive nature of the phrase and the vulgarity of the meaning, you quickly change your mind and ask politely what the meaning of the words “whip-round” was.
Translation of the opening sentence, “The passengers did a pass the hat to collect money for the stewardesses, when the stewardesses found out in flight that they had all been let go, because the airline was going out of business.”
I’m not blaming them for not communicating in good old American, that would be passing the buck. Which to our British friends would mean a male deer. “Passing the buck” originated during the American Frontier and indicated whose turn it was to deal in poker by passing a marker such as a knife with a buckhorn handle. If the dealer didn’t want to deal, he’d pass the buck.
It has morphed into blaming, abdicating responsibility, weaseling out of ownership and is used universally. President Harry Truman knew the phrase and instead of getting his knickers in a bundle, he declared “the buck stops here.” Now that I understand.
Kay Stellpflug is an educator and trainer in interpersonal and professional communications. She works and lives in Beaver Dam and can be reached at kaystellpflug@gmail.com.
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To mark National Read Across America Day, Google Play Books is getting a pair of tools to make the Android and iOS apps more friendly for kids and young readers.
The app has always been “primarily designed for proficient readers,” but Google last year set out to “rethink what learning to read means for younger readers, their parents, and anyone else who may be a beginning reader.” It follows the launch of Kids Space on Android tablets, and a Teacher Approved Apps section in the Play Store.
Launching a kids title in Google Play Books takes readers to a landscape UI with large touch targets. The top-left corner has a big button to go back, while there’s a tray at the bottom-center to:
Read & listen: Listen to a book read out loud, with a choice of whether the pages turn automatically or manually
Zoom out and scroll through all pages
Bookmark a page
Meanwhile, readers are able to tap any word to hear it spoken aloud. A question mark will appear above to launch the “Kid Friend Dictionary” with thousands of entries. Many of them include “illustrations to support comprehension and learning.”
Google touts a large catalog of books aimed at ages 0-8 that feature these tools. Free samples let parents determine if these capabilities are supported, while there’s a “Read & listen” badge in Play Store listings. Free books today include:
We’re Amazing, 1-2-3!: This Sesame Street story stars Elmo, Abby, and their friend Julia, who has autism. Together, the three pals have a delightful playdate.
Ara the Star Engineer: This is a STEM book on a mission! An inspiring, inclusive, whimsical way to learn about computers and technology from real-life trailblazers, written by a Googler.
Family Forever: This Sesame Street picture book features Julia and her family and friends as they spend a day in the park.
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