Language apps on the iPhone have come a long way over the past year. Some offer shiny new takes on the traditional language study process; others are trying to do all the work for us, arguably robbing us of the ability to learn a new language. While some language apps are limited in scope or sometimes wildly inaccurate, there are several proven educational options out there.

These seven such iPhone apps will aid you through the process of language education and translation. But keep in mind, quality translation comes at a price.

1. Google Translate
Google certainly knows how to pack the languages in: voice input for 17 languages, spoken translations for 24 languages and text translations for 63 languages. If you’ve used the online version of Translate you’ll have an idea how it mangles more complex sentences, but for conveying the gist, this tool works just fine. Google earns further brownie points for its minimalist interface and the ability to save previous translations offline.

Price: FREE

2. Word Lens
When an app’s launch video goes viral on YouTube (to date, 3.9 million views), you know it’s on to something. QuestVisual’s Word Lens app is so spectacular in action that it’s easy to forgive those who assumed it’s fake. It isn’t, but it’s also far from perfect.

Like Google Translate the app effectively translates individual words, is spotty with phrases, and is all over the place with sentences. However, the bulk of criticism revolves around pricing. The app runs $10 for one language, and only translates in a single direction. If you want English to Spanish and Spanish to English translation ability, prepare to dish out $20.

Price: FREE + in-app language pack purchase

3. Vocre
Vocre also looks less like an app and more like a magic trick. Speak into your phone in one language, turn the device on its axis, and the app will vocalize the translation. Less crowd-pleasing is the pricing model, which is pay-per-translation, purchased in bulk in advance. Plus, App Store reviewers complain that they quickly use up the 20 free translations just by testing it out. Your call.

Price: FREE + in-app bundle purchases

4. Lonely Planet
These guides favor audibility over variety. Lonely Planet chose some 600-odd phrases from 31 languages and converted them into perfectly accurate audio clips. Choose the word or phrase you want from the menu and the app will translate it into local text, phonetic pronunciation and a sound clip. For these reasons, it’s as much an app to teach as it is to translate. Not terribly cheap, but you’re paying for quality here.

Price: FREE + $10 per language

5. myLanguage
The myLanguage translator has been around for years, resulting in a polished product with a ton of nifty features. It allows you to choose dialects within its 59 supported languages, and all included phrases have been user-approved via a star rating system. Plus, the speech quality is top-notch. Once you’ve tried the free version, the Pro edition seems very affordable.

Price: FREE version or go Pro for $5.99

6. Plango!
The app may be free, but you must pay for content separately via a multimedia learning platform. The app is less concerned with translation on-the-fly than with long-term learning. The 39 interactive texts sell for about $7.00 each, and teach written and spoken comprehension through a multimedia magazine format.

Price: FREE + in-app text purchases

7. Dog Translator
Why draw the line at humans? This free app claims to translate the average canine’s bark into English. Sure, it’s just for fun, but when you find yourself cornered by a slobbering hound that doesn’t understand phrases like “good boy,” anything’s worth a try.

(Mashable)

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