Well, we’re one step closer to a Universal Translator. No longer will what you say be lost in translation during your travels. No longer will you have to learn a new language! No longer will you be subject to using a dictionary or time-burdened electronic pocket dictionaries with 5 languages, or BabelFish. Introducing: CallUma.
Goodbye to the Old Methods
Whether by Babel or evolution, language has always been a barrier in travels and communications between peoples.
Since academics, written word and the printing press, dictionaries have been used as a way to keep track of words, pronunciations and meanings of another language. Today, dictionaries, phrase books and travel guides are filled with popular translations.
About one or two decades ago, small personalized computers allowed travellers and international students alike to type in and translate phrases or languages on the spot – but which resulted in long waiting times and impatient restaurant waiters.
In the age of the Internet, services like BabelFish and Google Translation allow for any written text or webpage to be translated – but often in a very literal, word for word way that often deteriorates any meaning of the phrase.
Hello Uma!
UMA: Universal Multilingual Assistant.
CallUma is a service for “when you need help abroad.” By signing up for a membership, you get to access this super handy travel tool – a standby human translator at any time of the day. Just call or send a text message and you’ll receive assistance from a qualified Universal Multilingual Assistant.
Three different membership options are offered, starting from an annual fee of £19.50 to £95. What is included is minutes with a CallUma assistant, telephone translation, language assistance for emergency calling, overseas information helping available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, luggage tag and tracking service, text message service and even a repatriation service.
CallUma currently provides 18 of the most popular languages today, which make up 87% of the world’s languages. They include: Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Czech, French, German, Gerek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Urdu.
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