Mastering Turkish with Google Translate

Using Google Translate with foreign language apps is a great way to navigate apps that do not support your native language. There are a few methods you can use to translate app content and make it more user-friendly. Here’s a guide on how to effectively use Google Translate while using foreign language apps:

1. Google Translate’s Tap to Translate Feature (Android)

On Android devices, Google Translate has a feature called Tap to Translate, which allows you to translate text from any app without switching between apps. Here’s how to use it:

How to Enable Tap to Translate:

1. Download Google Translate from the Google Play Store or Apple Appstore.
2. Open Google Translate and tap on the menu (three lines in the top-left corner).
3. Select Settings, then choose Tap to Translate.
4. Enable the Tap to Translate option.
5. Choose your default language (e.g., Turkish to English).

How to Use Tap to Translate:

1. Open the foreign language app you want to use.
2. Highlight the text you want to translate by long-pressing on it.
3. After copying the text, a Google Translate bubble will appear on your screen.
4. Tap on the bubble to instantly see the translation of the copied text in your chosen language.

This feature works with most apps where you can highlight and copy text, like messaging apps, social media, and more.

2. Google Translate App – Camera Translation (iOS and Android)

For apps where you cannot copy text (such as image-based content or certain app interfaces), Google Translate’s Camera Mode can be helpful. This feature allows you to point your camera at the foreign text, and it will translate in real time.

How to Use Camera Translation:

1. Open the Google Translate app on your phone.
2. Tap the Camera icon on the main screen.
3. Choose your source language (the language of the app) and target language (your language).
4. Point your camera at the screen with the foreign language text.
5. The translation will appear in real-time over the app’s content.

This is particularly useful for navigating menus, buttons, or parts of apps that are image-based or don’t allow text copying.

3. Using Google Chrome’s Built-In Translation (for Web Apps)

If the foreign language app has a web version, you can use Google Chrome’s built-in translation feature. This is ideal for websites and web-based apps.

How to Use Google Chrome’s Translation:

1. Open the web version of the app or service in Google Chrome.
2. Right-click anywhere on the page and select Translate to [Your Language].
3. The page will automatically translate, and you can interact with the app in your preferred language.

This method works well for web apps like food delivery platforms, e-commerce sites, and services that have mobile versions accessible through a browser.

4. Manual Text Translation Using Copy-Paste

If your app allows you to copy text, you can manually paste it into Google Translate for a quick translation. Here’s how:

How to Use Google Translate for Manual Translation:

1. Open the foreign language app and copy the text you want to translate.
2. Open the Google Translate app or go to the Google Translate website (translate.google.com).
3. Paste the copied text into the translation box.
4. Choose the appropriate source and target languages, and you’ll see the translation.

This method is straightforward but requires switching between the app and Google Translate manually.

5. Screen Translation for Unselectable Text (Android via Third-Party Apps)

If the text in the app cannot be copied or you want to translate entire screens, you can use third-party apps like Screen Translate or T-Translate. These apps can translate the text directly on your screen.

How to Use Screen Translation:

1. Download a third-party screen translation app like Screen Translate or T-Translate from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant it permissions to capture the screen.
3. Navigate to the foreign language app and activate the screen translator.
4. The screen translator will scan and translate the text on your screen, overlaying it in your preferred language.

This method is useful for apps with text that cannot be highlighted or copied.

6. Use Google Lens for Image-Based Apps (iOS and Android)

If the app contains images with embedded text (for example, buttons, logos, or infographics), Google Lens can help you translate that text.

How to Use Google Lens for Image Translation:

1. Open Google Lens from the Google Translate app or the Google Photos app (if you have it installed).
2. Take a screenshot of the foreign language app screen you want to translate.
3. Open Google Lens, select the screenshot, and tap on the Text option.
4. Google Lens will detect the text in the image and offer translation options.

This feature is helpful for translating graphical content that cannot be interacted with directly.

7. Desktop Translation Tools for Foreign Language Apps

For desktop apps or websites, you can use browser extensions like Google Translate for Chrome or Mate Translate (available on multiple browsers). These extensions allow you to translate selected text or entire web pages with just a click.

How to Use Google Translate Extension:

1. Install the Google Translate extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Highlight the text you want to translate within the app or website.
3. Right-click and select Translate to [Your Language] from the context menu.
4. The translation will appear in a pop-up or side panel, allowing you to understand the foreign language content.

Conclusion

With these methods, you can effectively use foreign language apps even if they don’t have an English or other language option. Depending on the type of content (text, image, or web-based), you can choose the appropriate Google Translate feature or third-party tool to make the app more user-friendly.