Firm donates 1,000 interpreting devices to help Ukrainian refugees

For 20 refugees? Need a calculator not a translator

Nice gesture, but I think if this company stumped up for a year's free internet for each quasi evacuee, that would be even better. Then they could use the free online tools that others have mentioned, like DeepL. But that would not get them the free product placement they sought, so I'm guessing they wouldn't want to do that. But whatever, still better than a kick in the teeth.

I can remember when translation software took the Japanese expression "Mata ome ni kakarimasu" (I'll be seeing you again) and translated it into English as "I'll hang before your eyes."

I tried the same phrase this time and it came out: I will see you again. (or) We will see you soon. (or) We'll see you again.

The technology has definitely improved!

A very good idea. Btw those small and reasonable priced devices are really good and produce better translation or recognition results than those standard smartphone apps or voice assistants. I didn’t trust them so much at first too and had quite some doubts, but like me , you’ll be highest probably quite astonished of what they technically and especially regarding precise translations are capable of.

Kyo wa heiwa dayo neToday  03:17 pm JST

When did their status change from evacuees to refugees ?

Its a generous gift from Japan.

Are there strings attached or is it just a gift?

Sad i have to ask that .

Many probably speak English already but can't speak Japanese.

My guess is, If Kyodo is reporting with good will, that it is to match the news that J-govt. would pass the law to treat them as quasi-refugees

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220417/p2g/00m/0na/008000c

My mother in law pulled out one of these devices ( hopefully not the one they gave the new arrivals ) last week which she had paid 10 000 yen for after finding it on the net, most likely a pinpoint targeted advertisement for over 70s. We gave it a whirl. If you can remember what Google translate was like about 6 years ago, it was hilarious. Bad beyond words, excuse the pun.

Showed her how to use Google translate ( Deepl for written translations ) on her iPhone and she was like , ‘ mataaa, okaasan damasaretawaaa’ .

At least we got to have a laugh about it though.

When did their status change from evacuees to refugees ?

Its a generous gift from Japan.

Are there strings attached or is it just a gift?

Sad i have to ask that .

Many probably speak English already but can't speak Japanese.

Google Translate is the way to go.

I am sure all of these refugees have a smartphone or will have one shortly to remain in touch with loved ones.

Google Translate might not be infallible but is free,fast and I am sure a hell of a lot clunkier than a translate app from Japan given its penchant for awful English.

Since a smartphone is an essential item these days I'm pretty sure they would have been given one with their refugee package.

I am not using smartphone and don't think it as an essential item.

I'm curious how many of the Ukrainian refugees can speak English or have family members that can. Anyways, it doesn't matter.

Majority of those 500+ are with their relatives and acquaintances who could also help them.

Rarely is there someone at the government or bank that speaks English.

I am sure there is at least at the level enough for them to make their job done.

Yes, because if there is one country that knows about loneliness, even while living WITHIN their homeland, its the Japanese.

Talking about only Japanese around you in Tokyo?

 "I'm sure they'll have many chances to help in tasks like administrative processes at local government offices or opening a bank account."

I'm curious how many of the Ukrainian refugees can speak English or have family members that can. Anyways, it doesn't matter. Rarely is there someone at the government or bank that speaks English. A Ukraine to Japanese pocket translator device will come in handy, but both parties will have to use it. Might want to disinfect the device before handing it over. That problem will be brought up by some reporter speaking for the "but what about?" public.

I hope they might help them get to know Japanese people, too, and, in some small way, ease the loneliness of being separated from their homeland."

Yes, because if there is one country that knows about loneliness, even while living WITHIN their homeland, its the Japanese.

No good deed goes unpunished on JT.

Ukrainian and Russian are similar languages?

https://www.britannica.com/story/ukrainian-and-russian-how-similar-are-the-twolanguages

Nice way for them to get rid of their product - which nobody would want to carry with them when they can do the same thing on their phone - and feel nice and good about it.

I have found Google Translate to work quite well for me. It especially came in handy during my week in a JP hospital.

But, some of these evacuees may not have smartphones. Or, these devices may work pretty well, freeing up their smartphones for other uses.

In any case, it doesn't hurt to have another tool to help with what can be a difficult transition and a bit of culture shock, especially if it's free. So, why are people here whining about it?

That was very nice of them.

"Our mission is to sell redundant single function devices. I hope we succeed" he might have said.

This free ad should have the price and information on where we can buy these magical devices.

Obviously a publicity stunt, but I guess there are worse things to do to put your product in the spotlight than giving a lot of them to people in need that probably will find them useful.

The initiative to provide the Pocketalk handhelds came from Tokyo-based Pocketalk Corp. "Our mission is to eliminate language barriers. I hope they can help refugees," its president, Noriyuki Matsuda, said.

Assuming most of these "evacuees" have smartphones, the translation function first debuted in Pixel Android phone and later introduced to others has been impressive.

This couldn't be a promotion of a Japanese company on the back of a human tragedy could it?

a small, smartphone-like handheld that offers easy translation functionality. Users simply push a button while speaking, and the device translates what they have said into a chosen target language and displays it on the screen. It can also play a recording of the phrase.

There's apps that just do similar things, give them Google Play or Apple Store vouchers.

I could use one of those.