Quickly translate posts - in other languages.

[WynLin]

I posted this in a different forum - in response to a request for a translator - in order to read comments and posts in other languages from our fellow international guides.

It may not be readily available as I originally thought - until you install Google Translator App - but it’s very easy to use. I provided a screenshot of the app Icon - so you’ll know which one to use.

“Option for a “floating” translator tool in Local Guides Connect”

There are several floating translator tools - easily available - to do this.

1. I installed Google Translator (see blue and white icon in my screenshot above.) This app will pop up when you select/copy to the clipboard. Remember to configure the app first, with settings such as “Allow over the top of other apps” or “Allow Google Translator permission to Clipboard”

2. You can also translate by doing what is called a “long press.”

Use your finger and “long press” somewhere over the text you need to translate. When the two highlight buttons pop up - move them until they cover a paragraph or the whole section of text.

Another long press over the blue highlight brings up a small rectangle with the ubiquitous 3 dots - if this rectangle menu didn’t pop up. SEE SCREENSHOT

Click on those 3 dots and typically you will see, Web Search, Dictionary, and Translate. I installed some extra dictionaries - that show up on the menu in my SCREENSHOT - just more quick and direct translate.

From here once you either install Google Translate (and configure it properly) or start using the “long press” menu – ALL YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE.

[Ewaade_3A]

The Google Translator is embedded into our Connect page, check the Top right corner.

Thanks for sharing these tips with others, I use the long press when I am reading something outside of Connect in an application that allows a long press

@WynLin

[ErmesT]

No, you responded on my post about the command of the translator to be made “floating” @WynLin . As @Ewaade_3A said, every page if connect have the translator already available.

The advantage of the embedded translator is that is “less invasive” when you reply to a post

[WynLin]

@Ewaade_3A and @ErmesT

I’ll admit I was unaware there was a translator at the top of the page.

That had me baffled when mentioned by several people - I did see the language drop down at the top of the page - but I assumed it worked the way - the Language drop down works on other web pages. That is to show the site (not comments and posts) in a different language.

This is a drop down that is not seen very often on English oriented pages - because it often requires - that the pages are already translated (you know grammar and syntaxes are not automatically included in many translators).

So I didn’t realize how it worked here on Connect.

Having said that - I still maintain that there are already floating translators. I think your idea is a great idea! I’m trying to help you!!!

The Google Translator that I mention in my original post, that I did not elaborate on because I personally hate installing more apps for the same things I can already do in a browser (and usually better).

I have it - GT App but I hate floaters. They always manage to be right over where I want to click or type.

And yes, this Translator can be turned off and on, and moved around…

But I’ve always been a person who likes efficiency and incorporating less clicks and saves to do the same job. For example, I don’t save a document before exiting - I just exit and then answer the question (yes, save!). I’ve been doing this since before Windows existed and was using a DOS editor.

I also used Windows without a mouse - even after Windows became a graphical user interface. I never understood the big fuss about Apple and Unix coming out with easier to use with a mouse.

I was so proficient with the keyboard and CTRL/ALT/SHIFT/TAB combinations - I can still, today, get around a Windows 10 GUI without using a mouse. So when the battery dies in the mouse or freezes - I just automatically kick in the keyboard commands. I’m definitely “old school”.

So my personal preference is to use the highlight text and long press to invoke (what used to be called the alt-right menu) and I was trying to encourage everyone to live a frustrating free life- like me. Ha ha.

The floating Google Translator can be turned off and on - and, of course moved around on the screen.

Screenshots below:

[ErmesT]

Thanks for the feedback, @WynLin

There are specific reasons why we are using an embedded translator, instead of translating the whole page:

We can Select the language of the page itself (labels, menu, etc) in our settings. In this way Connect will be always available in the language we like, but the posts will not be translated.

We have a translator, embedded in every page, to translate only the content of the post and the replies. The main reason is that in this community we can write, and an external translator can make a big mess in the editing area if active while you are writing a post. The embedded translator do not interfere with the editing area, and this is very important when you are writing a post, while a translator ot the whole site will interfere, believe me.

The drop down is the application a request I made times ago (much better than the old selection tool) and now I am asking to have it “floating” on the page, to be always available when needed. I try to read everything in the original language of the post, and I want to translate only a reply that I dont understand, so I find boring to scroll the page up and down again just to activate the translation, especially in a looong thread.

That’s all, but thank you in any case as you want to help

[WynLin]

Have you tried the Google Translator App? I suspect you won’t get an answer from the powers at Connect - who consider your suggestion - if this does what I think you want.

Try it first - if nothing else the App might give you some additional ideas on “How It Should Work.”

I do think the Google Translator is your answer since it’s made by Google. We Local Guides and this forum are already on the “Google platform” and with that in mind - the floating Google Translator should work exactly as designed when used with other Google products.

If it’s because you are using a PC instead of a phone - most Google apps also come in the form of a Google Extension-or sometimes you can tweak Chrome by using:

chrome://flags/

Lots and lots of secret options - look here:

chrome://about/

If you are uncomfortable about checking into this on a PC/Browser let me know you’d like to look at it - and I’ll do the leg work for you.

[Ewaade_3A]

I am enjoying this debate.

I will try on what you have said for some days and leave you a feedback.o don’t have any problem using Connect as it is currently though @WynLin

Thanks. What name do I call you and what part of the world are you chatting from?

[WynLin]

I’m currently located in Central USA (“the Midwest”). The state I live in is Indiana. The culture and population around here is not as progressive as I would like. I’m living here now because I wanted to be closer to my grandchildren (daughter). I’ve been very fortunate and have lived and visited so many places on our wonderful planet. I lived on the north, the west and the east, along with my current “midwest”. I also lived in Injirlik, Turkey 2 years and Ankara, Turkey 3 years. So I guess becoming a “local guide” is a natural for me - since I’m very interested in different cultures, places, and people!

I have been working in technology since 1989 - self-taught at first - and I eventually sought formal education and certifications - because a woman working in technology is HARD. It’s very dominated by (white) males and - bias against women (like the sciences).

How about you?

[ErmesT]

Please don’t getting me wrong @WynLin , I know perfectly how to use Google Translator in Mobile, and it works well.

However this community has been designed for making the use “easy” for all the members. It is possible to set the website in more than 30 different languages, and the translator is powered by Google Translate.

Making the existing translator always available when you need it, without having to scroll the page up, is a suggestion to improve the experience for everyone, does’t matter the device they are using

[ErmesT]

Hey, @WynLin , just reading your last reply to @Ewaade_3A

Great, what about to share some of your traveling experiences here with us?

We would love to read and to learn from your traveling experience. I just lived one and a half year in Izmir (Tk) and I love that country