Automatic WhatsApp Message Translation Rolls Out To Beta Users

Generally, folks who use WhatsApp use it to speak to people they know. That’s not always the case, particularly for people who use the Business version to talk to potential customers. Global reach (your mileage may vary) means communication issues. Unless the app can automatically translate queries…

That’s just what is rolling out to beta users of Meta’s messaging behemoth. Users can download language packs, much like they would with an offline map or alternative languages in a document suite, and have the app automatically translate queries in that language.

WhatsApp, por favor

The feature isn’t for every WhatsApp user, but those who need it should find it useful. Don’t get too excited, though. It won’t do African languages just yet. Supported packs include Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese (Brazil), Hindi, and Russian — handy if you’re a globetrotter but perhaps not so much if you’re a local legend.

Translation is specified per chat, via the chat info screen. This means users can set the conversation with Dmitri to Russian, the one with Emir to Arabic, and so on. Languages may be downloaded as needed, but there’s also a combined set that can be prompted to translate any supported language as it turns up as a message.

Messages may also be translated manually, by selecting the ‘translate’ option for each message in the message options. Translations are handled on-device, via the language packs, so Meta and WhatsApp shouldn’t ever know what your foreign dealings entail. Hopefully, it’s all above board.

WhatsApp’s message packs are described as “lightweight”, meaning that translation may not always be on the money. Sending an overseas customer a flock of geese instead of the motor parts he was looking for probably won’t happen, though. Not unless something goes horribly wrong. Besides, have you ever tried to jam a goose into a box? It’s not fun. That should have been your first clue.

Translation can be enabled and disabled at any time and works in private, group, and channel chats, but it’s off by default. You’ll have to do some work to learn what that Brazilian woman with the Bitcoin symbol as her profile image wants. More language packs are also planned, meaning we might get something Africa-relevant at some point.

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