JAJAH launches translation services over the phone

JAJAH has announced the launch of JAJAH Babel, a real-time free phone translation service that allows anyone in China to call a local number, speak in English and immediately hear their message back in Chinese Mandarin. (

Local JAJAH access numbers are also available in the U.S., UK and Australia.

The company says that with thousands of travelers set to visit Beijing this summer, they now have a simple translation tool accessible at the touch of a dial, powered by JAJAH.

Developed with support from IBM Research, JAJAH Babel also works in reverse for Chinese speakers who wish to have a statement translated into English. Any phrase can be translated and shared with others by passing the handset or activating the phone's speakerphone function.

JAJAH says no other free service provides such simple real-time translations at the end of a phone.

This is the first service coming to the market since JAJAH and IBM signed a co-development agreement earlier this year. Additional language support is set for release in the coming months.

How does JAJAH Babel work? From English to Chinese or in reverse:

-- Dial JAJAH Babel from any phone. U.S. local access number: +1-718-513-2969
-- Choose which language you want your message translated into (either English to Chinese or Chinese to English)
-- Say your message and press #
-- You will be able to confirm that your message was properly understood by the system.
-- The message will automatically be played back in Chinese. If you wish, simply hand your phone to the other person or put the phone on loudspeaker so they hear the message.
-- The other person can then record a message in Chinese, following the steps above, and you will hear their message in English.