Google Translate turns 20, and it's making me practice my speech with AI

Google Translate's 20th anniversary adds pronunciation practice for users looking to take their language skills to another level. — (Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

Google celebrates its 20th anniversary of the Translate app with users by rolling out a new feature: Pronunciation Practice.
Located in the Practice tab, users can write a phrase and practice how to say each word, then the AI will come in and highlight any errors in your speech.
Google states the Translate app has turned into a global tool used by 1 billion users and is responsible for translating roughly 1 trillion words per month.

Google is celebrating a momentous occasion for an app that users typically look for when trying to read something in another language.

Detailed this morning (Apr 28), Google says the Translate app turns 20 years old; however, it's giving users a gift, instead. Rolling out in celebration is "Pronunciation Practice" in Translate. The app has slowly been moving into a Duolingo vibe recently, and Google says this feature has been "highly requested." It says AI does most of the heavy-lifting, analyzing how you've said a word to offer feedback for correction.

Users writing a phrase in Google Translate, and having it translated into their preferred language, can hit "Practice." Once there, you'll notice a new "Pronunciation" box (and a drop-down menu for languages). Users can listen to the AI say it first, or they can hop right in themselves. Google Translate will guide you with the word's phonetic transcription. After you're done, the AI comes in and shows you where you've gone wrong.

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The AI will highlight portions of the word you might've said wrong, giving you the chance to repeat it (with feedback, too). Pronunciation Practice is rolling out today (Apr 28) in the U.S. and India for English, Spanish, and Hindi.

Birthday Bash of Words

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Users can practice their pronunciation of words with Google Translate, witnessing the phonetic transcription during attempts. — (Image credit: Google)

Alongside this new reveal, Google highlights how the Translate app started out "as a small experiment" before becoming the useful tool that more than 1 billion users lean on. The company adds that the app translates roughly 1 trillion words every month. The app's Practice tab is credited for helping users become more confident in how they speak new languages. This tab first rolled out last summer, providing goals for daily sessions and more with Gemini.

Google Translate then rolled out three major updates around the holidays. Slang and local expressions were a focus for Google at that time. The app would usually provide "a literal word-for-word translation." Instead, this update aimed at providing a more accurate translation, which is closer to what locals are actually saying.

Android Central's Take

There's only so much you can do on your own. Google Translate doesn't do bad in helping users practice new languages. Its Practice tab holds up well enough, but I think that user feedback was right on the money. Pronunciation Practice just makes sense. If you were learning from a real teacher, they'd walk you through how to say a word, so you're not just winging it.

Nickolas is always excited about tech and getting his hands on it. Writing for him can vary from delivering the latest tech story to scribbling in his journal. When Nickolas isn't hitting a story, he's often grinding away at a game or chilling with a book in his hand.