Translation and languages
Use AI translation for text, signs and conversations, why it can make mistakes in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Pidgin, and when you need a person.
AI can help people understand each other across languages. But it isn't perfect. Let's see why. Translation apps like Google Translate, and chatbots too, can translate between many languages, in seconds. They can translate between English and Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, as well as French, Arabic, Chinese and many more.
Ways to translate
You can translate text, by typing or pasting words, use your camera, by pointing it at a sign or a menu, speak, and hear it translated out loud, or use conversation mode, where two people take turns speaking different languages. Here's a translation from English to French. Good morning. Where is the bus station? You can even tap listen, to hear how to say it. Remember what you learned about data. A I learns from examples. And there's far more English text on the internet than Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or Pidgin text. So translations into these languages can contain more mistakes. Grammar can be wrong, and the respectful way of speaking to elders can be lost.
When to use AI, and when to ask a person
A I translation is fine for understanding a sign or menu, getting the general idea of a message, and learning new words. Ask a fluent person for legal, medical and official papers, for proverbs and jokes, which often lose their meaning, and for important messages, especially to elders.
Translate more safely
To get better translations, use short, simple sentences. Avoid slang and proverbs, unless you check them. Translate the result back into English, to check it still means the same thing. And when it really matters, ask a fluent speaker.
Quick check
Quick check. You need to translate a hospital form for your grandmother. What should you do? Ask a fluent person, or an official translator. Medical papers are too important to risk a mistake. Options: Ask a fluent person or official translator to help; Trust the app completely; Guess what it says; Skip the form.
Recap
You can translate text, signs, voice and conversations. Less training data means more mistakes, especially in Nigerian languages. Use simple sentences, then translate back to check. And ask a person when it really matters.
Key points
- Translation apps like Google Translate, and chatbots, can translate text, signs (with your camera), speech and conversations.
- Translations into Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Pidgin can contain more mistakes, because there's much less training text online in these languages than in English.
- AI is fine for signs, menus, the general idea of a message and learning words. Ask a fluent person for legal, medical and official papers, proverbs, and important messages.
- Use short, simple sentences, avoid slang and proverbs, and translate the result back to check it.
Try it: Translate wisely
Choose the smartest way to handle each translation.