Instant Translation Apps Impact How Americans Travel

Translation apps promise to dissolve language barriers with a tap, turning your phone into a pocket interpreter. A new study from Preply suggests that convenience comes at a cost. After surveying 1,200 Americans who have used these tools while traveling abroad, Preply found that 57% considered the apps robotic and unnatural, leaving travelers feeling that something essential was missing from their interactions with locals.

Click below to zoom.

The study’s first graph breaks down how Americans usually communicate when they travel, and the most popular solution is low-tech. Nearly three in five respondents said they learned some of the local language before their trip so they could use it themselves. Gestures and pointing, along with facial expressions, were also popular when asking for food or directions. Half of respondents used a translation app or tool, while two in five used in-person translators. Almost one in five could speak the local language, either from prior knowledge or from efforts to study before the trip. 17% said they still struggled to communicate despite their best efforts.

Click below to zoom.

The second visual shows what travelers don’t like about translation apps. Most complaints center around human connection. Nearly half of travelers said technology made interactions less personal, and more than two in five were bothered by the lack of eye contact because the user must watch the screen. Body language and eye contact help people build rapport, but a device in the middle can disrupt this connection. One in five travelers described real-time technology as somewhat rude. A third of respondents reported an awkward moment while using the tool, and nearly one in three said the app made their trip feel less immersive.

The tools might also undercut long-term learning. More than a third of travelers felt translation technology discouraged them from learning more of the language, and 52% were frustrated that an app can’t communicate tone or cultural nuance.

The final visual aid examines what motivates travelers to study a language before setting out on a trip. Half of Americans who traveled abroad took some kind of language class beforehand. The top reason chosen by 73% of respondents was a desire to be polite and respectful. Two-thirds wanted to feel more confident when traveling, and 65% hoped to connect more deeply with locals. Looking ahead, 65% of Americans said they want to learn more of the local language before a future trip.

That doesn’t mean travelers are abandoning their apps. More than two-fifths expect to rely on translation tools more the next time they travel. One in six plan to use these tools less.

Preply offers us a balanced conclusion. Translation apps are a remarkable technology that works best in moderation. Knowing a handful of phrases can transform a transactional exchange into a genuine moment of connection. That connection is something no app has managed to replicate.