Language Software

Language Software

There are two main segments of language software: (1) software that teaches you a foreign language, and (2) software that translates documents from one language to another. Most of these software programs are designed for Windows operating systems rather than for Macintosh users.

Learning Another Language

As the world becomes smaller through globalization, there are many reasons to become multilingual. Perhaps you want to travel abroad, or would like your children to be bilingual. Or perhaps you are a second-generation immigrant and want to learn the mother tongue of your native land. With language software, you can learn basic words and grammar in just a few months for just $20 to $50. There are few “free” options for language software; most are shareware that involve advertisers and seldom present anything beyond the basics.

Types of Programs

Some programs take a fun, game-like approach for children, while are designed for travelers or business people; some even put you in every day situations with native speakers and accents. “Transparent Language,” for example, teaches 101 languages through games, articles, and cultural information. Others take an academic approach. “My Arabic Teacher” is a tutoring language software applications suitable for K-12 and college-level coursework.

Language software programs usually provide one language per package, and companies generally offer packages for languages in certain geographic areas or languages of certain complexities. “LanguageQuest,” for example, offers Farsi (Persian), Chinese, Lithuanian, Japanese and Arabic, among its software line. Included in the offerings of “World Languages” are packages for learning Pashto, Hindi, Hebrew, Indonesian, Punjabi, Vietnamese, and Ukrainian.

If you want to learn something really different, consider buying “Omniglot.” Its language software teaches written languages such as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics; Chinese, Japanese and Korean writing systems; and sign languages.

Buying Language Software

When shopping for language software, you will want to consider:
  • The type of vocabulary (everyday versus business)
  • The way it is taught (fun or tedious)
  • The anticipated time necessary to learn


    • Translating Languages

    Can you read Tagalong, Visayan or Ilocano? They are three of the 70 languages spoken in the Philippines. Language software now allows computer users to copy text onto a clipboard and have it translated into any number of different languages on screen.

    Look for programs that have bi-directional functionality—translating to and from a particular language. Unless you know you only need to translate from one language, you will want to choose language software with multi-lingual capabilities. “Word Translator,” for example, has phrase-by-phrase capabilities for 25 languages.

    By Kathleen Goolsby           


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