Google Translate Isn’t Built for the Trades, Here’s What Is

The Problem With Translation on the Jobsite

You’ve probably seen it a foreman pulls out their phone, opens Google Translate, and hopes it gets the point across. Sometimes it works. But most of the time?

It’s just good enough to be dangerous.

Because generic translation tools aren’t built for what actually happens on a construction site noisy, fast-paced environments where instructions need to be clear the first time.

When “brace the form” turns into “break the form,” you’re looking at a mistake that costs time, money, and sometimes safety.

Why General Tools Fall Flat in the Field

1. They’re not built for construction language

Google Translate doesn’t know what a "ledger," "sill plate," or "rebar tie" is in the real-world context of a jobsite.

2. They don’t work offline

Most jobsites don’t have perfect service. When the signal drops, so does your communication.

3. They’re not fast enough for how crews move

Crews move quickly. They don’t have time to fiddle with apps that weren’t designed for dirty gloves and fast commands.

4. No recordkeeping or accountability

When something gets lost in translation, there’s no trail to prove who said what and that can mean lost time, costly rework, or worse.

So What’s the Solution?

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