Dont get lost in translation

Don't know much about algebra, don't know much about the French I took.....

Today there is no excuse for not trying at least.  The language guides, English-other language dictionaries and phrase books are too readily available.  Well you certainly have an excuse if you come from North America.  The rest of the world is learning English so you might say "why bother"?  With some of the inexpensive or free tools available today you really should make the effort. You never know when you'll meet the cab driver who doesn't understand you or the waiter who thinks you said you want pickles on your cake.   

Here's a really cool web link from Google:  http://translate.google.com/ and there's also a phone app too.   With your smart phone you say what you want in English (or your language) and pick the language to translate in.  You can hear the translation and play it to your cab driver in her language or show her the screen writing.  You will see what you said in English on your screen so you should be fairly confident it translated it right.  These online translation programs are getting better all the time. 

Here's a post script to the last blog on guides:

 The Kindle Store on Amazon has inexpensive travel books ($1.99) from top sights for Tallinn and any other cities or countries you may have on your travel list.  They are short and easy to read covering the main sites in the location. 

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