A colleague in another country, a relative who moved abroad, a friend you met while travelling: sooner or later most of us need to talk to someone who does not share our language. Here are seven approaches, from the simplest to the most seamless, and when each one makes sense.
1. Find a shared language
If you both speak some English, Spanish or another widely used language, start there. Keep sentences short, avoid slang and confirm important points in writing. It costs nothing, but it only works if both people are comfortable enough in the shared language, and the person with weaker skills carries most of the effort.
2. Use a translator app and copy-paste
Translator apps work almost everywhere. The downside is the workflow: copy the message, switch apps, paste, read, copy the result back, and do the same for every reply. It is fine for a single message and tiring for a conversation.
3. Translate inside your keyboard or browser
Some phone keyboards and browsers can translate text as you type or read. This removes some switching, but the other person still sees only the final text, and voice messages and calls are not covered.
4. Use camera translation for signs and menus
For the physical world, such as street signs, menus and packaging, point your phone camera at the text and read the translation on screen. It is great for travel, but it is one-way and not made for conversation.
5. Choose a messenger with built-in translation
When you talk to the same people regularly, the best fix is a messenger that translates inside the chat: you write in your language, and the other person reads in theirs. AICO works this way, so there is no separate translator app and no copy-paste.
6. Send voice messages that get translated
Typing is slow, and many people simply prefer to speak. With voice message translation the message is transcribed, translated and read aloud in the listener's language. In AICO the transcript also appears next to the voice message, so you can read instead of listening. See how voice message translation works.
7. Make calls with live subtitles
For a real-time conversation, a call with translated subtitles lets each person speak their own language while the translation of the other person's words appears on screen. AICO supports subtitles in your language during calls.
Tips for fewer misunderstandings
- Use short sentences. One idea per message translates better than a long paragraph.
- Avoid idioms and slang. "Let's touch base" or "it's a piece of cake" often come out strangely.
- Double-check numbers, dates and names. Repeat them back to confirm.
- Summarize at the end. A one-line recap catches misunderstandings early.
- Be patient and kind. AI translation is good, but not perfect, and the other person is working just as hard as you are.
Want to chat across languages without a translator app? AICO translates messages, voice messages and calls right inside the conversation.
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