Translation Transforms

Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo

In this April 4, 2013 photograph, 14-year-old Guan Ya Smith, shows her answer to her adoptive 10-year-old brother Colton Smith, who asked her about her favorite foods at her Rienzi, Miss., home. The Smiths and their three other children are using the a Google Translate program to communicate almost exclusively with Guan Ya, who is deaf. The family uses iPhones, iPods and a laptop, all loaded with the program to write in either English that translates to Chinese or vice-a-versa.

close window