Untranslate Application

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Untranslate explores the barrier between languages through the subjective experiences of people. It is an application that teaches you the nuances of a language through context-based learning. Deviating from the traditional academic sources, it introduces you specific cultural references and content that can only be learnt by living in the corresponding place or through conversations with native speakers.

Dimensions & Packaging

Untranslate is meant to be an application that can be accessed on mobile devices as well as tablets and laptops. The screens and graphics are not only adaptable but are in line with the accessibility standards for all kinds of people.

Tags

Application, Language, Education, Culture, Linguistics, Social, Context, Historical, Community

Production Technology

After rigorous user testing, and evaluating existing language applications, these were some challenges.

Limited Functionality, content covered was very limited.
Lack of Context, information may not be contextually acceptable.
Impersonal, people do not connect with language.

Moving forward, here are the insights gained from the pain points.

Experience, the content should be put into real life context.
Context, more experiential approach to language learning.
Awareness, exposure to varied kinds of media.

Design Challenge

The primary challenge in this project stemmed from the notion that language by itself can be an ineffective tool in seamlessly communicating across borders and backgrounds. During building the content and flow of the app, it was very important to get information from credible, first hand sources and be mindful of any social and culturally relevant information. There were several rounds of fact checking, so as to produce the most accurate and unbiased content.

Research

The research behind Untranslate involved first-hand interviews with multiple native speakers of multiple languages. The purpose of the interviews was to obtain experiential information about their perception of language, their social and political associations with it, in addition to any anecdotes they may have related to their linguistic background. Images and quotes were also requested from the interviewees so as to make the content of the application more relatable and welcoming.

Inspiration

Language is not just a tool, but a reflection of its surrounding culture, people, media, and socio-politics. Therefore, the true essence of a language can never truly be translated into another. Certain words, phrases, and expressions can only be fully understood by interacting with the culture and the people it has emerged and grown from. The large number of people who grow up outside their state or country often lose the privilege of being immersed in their native languages and cultures.

Project Duration

This project started in New York City in August 2019 and finished in May 2021. Since then, it has won a Graphic Design USA Award, a Best Award (hosted by DINZ), an ADGA Award and a Communication Arts Interaction Design Award.

Operation Flow

Untranslate provides the user with a single word or phrase from a curated list of contextually rich words. Upon selecting a word it presents you with 4 different contexts, historical, cultural, social and colloquial.

As a part of the four contexts, Untranslate presents the user with the etymology of the word; a list of curated culturally relevant content such as book, movies and songs; access to news articles and clips; and knowledge on how to use the word in a conversational setting.

Image Credits

Image and content research credits:
Esra Gumrukculer
Carolyn Olaguivel
Namra Khalid
Paloma Corrigan
Anamika Ananth
Aruja Kothari
Deveshi Jhunjhunwala
Jiahui Yu
Sinong Li
Sichao Liu
Anjana Halder
Iris Favand
Deepak Warrier