Learn how to use Conversation mode in Apple’s Translate app to show the translated transcription of a face-to-face conversation in real time.
Imagine you are on vacation in France and need help from a person who does not speak English. In this situation, you can speak in your own language in the Apple Translate app, and it will translate it into French on the fly. The other person can read and listen to the translation of what you said in French. This of course works in multiple languages.
Apple’s Translate app can power natural‑sounding conversations because it takes full advantage of advanced on-device machine learning that runs on Apple’s custom Neural engine.
Also see: How to translate words and sentences on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Use the Translate app in Conversation mode
1) Open the Apple Translate app on your iPhone and tap Conversation from the bottom tab.
2) Make sure the language you speak is selected on the right side. Next, select the language you want to translate into on the other side.
You can also tap the menu button from the top right and choose Auto Translate. This will ensure the app automatically figures out the spoken language and transcribes it.
3) Now, enter the text that you want to translate. You can also tap the microphone icon and speak.
4) The app will translate your text or speech and show it on the screen in blue. You can hold your iPhone near the other person and tap the play button so they can hear the translated words.
Use Face to Face view
Face to face conversation mode brings a nice side-by-side view that makes it easy for two people to converse. One side of the interface is reserved for you, while the other party can see the translated text on the other half of the screen. It’s absolutely amazing if you want to talk to people standing in front of you.
1) Open the Translate app and tap Conversation.
2) Tap View from the upper left corner of the screen and tap Face to Face.
3) Your screen will now be split in two halves. Of course, you can set the language or let the app figure it out.
4) Tap the three dots menu button from the bottom right and check Play Translations.
5) Now, hold the iPhone appropriately so you can speak near the microphone, and the other person can hear it. Next, tap the microphone button and speak.
6) The Translate app will automatically translate your words and play the translation. The other person can hear what you said.
7) Now, they can tap the microphone button on their side of the screen and speak in their language. The app will translate their words for you.
Repeat steps 5 and later to keep the conversation going.
Use Attention mode
This one’s pretty cool.
In Attention mode, the translated text is enlarged and takes up the entire screen, making it easier for others to read, especially if they have vision issues. Simply touch and hold a past translation and tap Show Full Screen.
Tap the conversation button to exit this full-screen.
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