South African entrepreneur breaks language barrier

Thabo Olivier, a South African linguistics expert, has developed a mobile phone application that allows users to quickly learn basic communication phrases in different languages, and even communicate without knowing a particular language at all.

The software, currently available on the MS Windows Mobile platform and almost any other handset with a Java interface, offers various language modules for users to choose from.

Users can download the base module of the software in their native language, and then choose from a range of other language modules as add-ons. The software then allows the user to type basic language phrases using the mobile phone keypad. Upon selection of the foreign language, the device will then display the corresponding language phrase, and emit an audio recording of the phrase via loudspeaker.

A user can therefore type a range of phrases to ask for help, get directions, order from restaurants and ask almost any other tourism related question, and get the target language translation in both text and audio form. This enables a traveler to a foreign country to easily communicate, make himself understood and get information from speakers of other languages.

Currently there are multiple language modules available, including French, Portuguese, Swahili, Arabic, and all eleven of South Africa’s official languages. Mr Olivier sees particular application of the translation software for the upcoming FIFA 2010 World Cup, as it would enable travelers to South Africa to communicate without speaking a South African language or making use of a translator. As safety is a major issue for overseas visitors, the software also adds an additional level of comfort for travelers, knowing that they could ask for help or directions as needed.

The software will be made available online, with each additional foreign language module totaling between 9 and 14 MB in size. Native language downloads will be much smaller, as no audio files would be necessary.

Mr Olivier is currently exploring various partnership opportunities, and as such the distribution model and price of the software has not been finalized. Although the application is currently focused on the tourist market, other applications such as legal or medical translators are in the pipeline.
Mr Olivier, who had previously won the Top ICT Business Man in Africa ICT Achievers Award for the PC version of the software, says: “The software has the potential to unlock a world of communication and information to people visiting foreign countries, and almost completely remove the language barrier that currently exists. The application not only assists the traveler, but teaches basic phrases easily and in a short space of time. The ability to communicate gives both ease of interaction and peace of mind to the user.”

Cape Town based development company Fusion Technologies has partnered with Mr Olivier to develop the application, bringing the technical capabilities to quickly add additional language modules to the software as is required.