Google Translate is turning 20, and to mark the anniversary Google is adding a new feature that brings the translation tool closer to language-learning apps. It no longer simply translates a word or phrase. Now, it also wants to hear how you say it.
The new option allows users to practise pronunciation directly within the app. After translating a text, users can open the “Practice” menu and select the “Pronounce” button.
The application then displays the phonetic version of the translated phrase and asks the user to say it out loud. It listens to the pronunciation, evaluates how accurately the phrase was spoken and provides brief feedback. For example, it may note that “some sounds were not clear enough.” Users can also listen to the app’s own pronunciation to compare.
For now, the feature is rolling out in the United States and India and currently supports English, Spanish and Hindi.
From translation tool to language coach
The new addition highlights a broader shift in how Google is positioning its translation platform. Rather than serving only as a quick translation tool, Google Translate is gradually evolving into a more interactive language-practice assistant.
The goal is not just to show what a phrase means in another language, but also to help users say it correctly.
The move echoes features seen in language-learning platforms such as Duolingo, where users are encouraged not only to read but also to speak and receive corrections.
For many people who rely on Google Translate during travel, studies or work, the update could make the tool feel less like a dictionary and more like a personal language tutor.
Expanding translation features
The pronunciation practice tool comes shortly after Google introduced live translation through headphones on iOS and expanded the feature to Android devices in several countries.
The service is now available in places including Germany, Spain, France, Nigeria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, Bangladesh and Thailand, reflecting the company’s effort to make real-time language support more accessible worldwide.
Source: TechCrunch
