Do you need free translation help? Do you need an interpreter? There are free apps and websites that can help you. Understand the difference between translation and interpretation. Find free services that use real people to help translate. Learn how to use Google Translate.
What are translators and interpreters?
A translator changes something written from one language to another.
An interpreter repeats what a person says in one language to another person in the other person’s language, so they can communicate with each other.
You have the right to ask for an interpreter.
How can I get free translation help?
Here are some free interpreting and translation resources that use real people to translate.
Tarjimly
Tarjimly is a great free translation service for refugees, asylees, and people who serve them. It will help you to communicate when you need it most. Maybe you want to explain something to your doctor or your child’s teacher. Or you may be reading a document at the immigration office. You might even be in the grocery store.
Using the app is easy. You can connect with a volunteer translator or interpreter in 60+ languages in an average of under 2 minutes. During a conversation, you can send text, voice notes, pictures, or get on an internet call. The free service will connect you instantly with one of Tarjimly’s many volunteers who speak your language as well as English.
Learn how to sign up for Tarjimly
Learn how to use Tarjimly
Respond: Crisis Translators Network
Respond will translate any documentation that is necessary or helpful during the asylum process, in hospitals, and in other crisis situations. They also have in-person translators for asylum interviews and to help you speak to your lawyer or if you are in detention. To get help, fill in the message form on the website.
Free translation help online
There are free translation services you can use online that use a computer to translate. Google Translate is a popular one. You can enter words in your language and it will translate them into another language you choose. You can type in English words you don’t understand, and it will give them to you in your language.
How to use Google Translate
- Go to Google Translate
- Choose the language you want to translate from and the language you want to translate it to
- Share what you want translated
– If you choose “text” you can type or copy and paste in the text in the left box
– If you choose “documents” you can choose a document you have on your computer
– If you choose “website” you can type in the website address
Free translation voice app
If you have a smartphone, you can use the Google Translate application just by speaking to it! Say something in your language, and the app will speak back in English or other languages.
How to use the Google Translate app
- Download and open the app
- Choose the language you want to translate from and the language you want to translate it to
- Choose “conversation”
- Speak a sentence you want translated
- It will say it back to you in the other language as well as show the written words
Google translations are done by a computer and are not always perfect. The quality can vary for different languages. Also, not all languages have speak-back service. These are still helpful options to try.
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