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Franklin 12 Language Translator TGA-495 When I got on the bus the next day one of the guides provided a sheet of paper printed on both sides with a number of phrases in English and the Chinese translation using our alphabet next to it. I thought this will be a big help. That thought lasted until she said the Chinese people did not pronounce our alphabet characters the same way we do so I would have to learn their way of pronouncing our alpha characters. I was right back where I was earlier. I had to depend on their grasp of English and use the Franklin Translator phrases if needed. As I moved from big cities to smaller towns to farmer villages I continued to do an occasional test. The phrases in the translator are, for the most part, very helpful. They are certainly much better than no Chinese at all. They also help to break the barrier between people. I often got a laugh when I played a phrase for a local. This then allowed them to break out their English even if it was minimal. This simple back and forth was fun and informative. They felt I was at least making an effort.
The Franklin Translator looks like a game unit. It weighs a light 5.6 oz. Measures 4.0" x 3.0" x 0.6" with a 2.5” by 1.75” B&W screen. It is made like a slider phone with a good sized keyboard on the slider itself. The TGA-495 has many functions other than translating: Clock With Alarm The 12 languages are: The Franklin 12 language (Speaking) Global Translator will translate to and from any of the above languages. It does to a great job when translating the included phrases. Sounds are crisp and clear. The voice recording feature will allow you to record translations that will help you in specific instances. This would still require someone with the knowledge of the needed language. In my case that was Chinese. I found the requirement to translate single words instead of sentences hard to work with. In other words if I want to say “Where is the car wash?” Since that is not in the list of pre-translated phrases (There is one that translates “Auto Repair Shop”) I would need to type in each word and then play that word for the person to hear in their language. Then move on the next word until all the words are translated. In my discussion of various features with Franklin I received the following from them: The MSRP for the Translator is $229.95. It can be found for less than $199.95 in stores or on the Internet. Want to TEST THE Translator on line AT: I know sometime in the future there will be an affordable translator that will speak sentences translated in their entirety. I hope Franklin will be the company to get there first. Until then we will have to use the 1000 English phrases provided in the Franklin 12 Language Translator TGA-495 to get by. OR take a language course. UGH! |
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