Summary: Traveling through Italy with family, I discovered that despite the promise of AI translation devices, real-life language barriers and travel mishaps often require patience, common sense, and human kindness more than technology. From missed train stops to panicked strangers, AI helped in small but meaningful ways, reminding me that empathy transcends language.
A Family Vacation Goes Off the Rails
Imagine hurtling through northern Italy on a high-speed train at 186 mph, nearing the end of a two-hour journey from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Venezia Santa Lucia. Suddenly, confusion erupts: the timer on my smartwatch says 25 minutes left, but my family insists we’re about to miss our stop and must get off immediately.
Amid the chaos, a Chinese grandmother tugs at my sweater, speaking rapidly in Mandarin while the train’s announcement blares in Italian. My mother-in-law frantically presses the door button, but it won’t open. My father-in-law and sister-in-law are stuck on the platform as the train pulls away. Panic sets in. Half the family is off the train, the other half still aboard, and no one knows exactly where we are or how to get to Venice.
The Promise and Pitfalls of AI Translators
This isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it’s how I spent a recent Saturday. Traveling internationally often brings anxiety, especially when you don’t speak the language. Back in 2006, moving to Tokyo alone without reliable translation tools was daunting. Fast forward to 2025, and I had an arsenal of AI-powered translation apps and devices: Google Translate, Apple Translate, and two handheld translators—Pocketalk and TimeKettle T1.
These gadgets promised real-time translation, offline capabilities, and even photo translation of signs and menus. I thought they’d make our family trip to Italy and Switzerland a breeze.
When Human Interaction Beats Technology
Yet, in practice, my extroverted in-laws often bypassed technology altogether, confidently speaking English or charming locals. For example, a taxi driver in Pompeii joked in English about his family’s business, making translation devices unnecessary. AI translators require time, patience, and a stable internet connection—luxuries we didn’t always have amid travel stress.
One memorable moment was at a Milan train station, where my mother-in-law had all the tickets but accidentally left some of us behind after passing through the turnstiles. Attempts to explain the confusion with translation apps failed, culminating in my spouse’s frustrated outburst that needed no translation. Thankfully, a station agent eventually helped us through.
The Chaotic Train Ride to Venice
Earlier on the train, the Chinese grandmother next to my sister-in-law tried to communicate using her own translation app, mistakenly assuming my sister-in-law was Italian. Unfortunately, I hadn’t downloaded Chinese language packs on my devices, and spotty Wi-Fi compounded the problem. Eventually, Google Translate helped bridge the gap enough to reassure her we were headed to the same stop and that I’d let her know when to get off.
When her phone battery died, I lent her a USB-C cable and helped charge it, a small act of kindness that transcended language barriers. As the train pulled away from Padua—where we had mistakenly disembarked—I used Google Maps to navigate us back to Venice, sharing updates with my family via group chat.
The Unexpected Comfort of AI Translation
While AI translators didn’t prevent our travel mishaps, they provided comfort in moments of uncertainty, especially when helping a stranger in distress. They were occasionally useful for translating menus or signs, though often slower or less accurate than simply asking a local.
Ultimately, the most valuable tech was an international data plan for my phone, enabling quick access to maps and communication. The gadgets served best as emergency backups rather than primary tools.
Reflections on Technology and Empathy
No AI translator can fully capture the human connection that forms when helping someone in need. The Chinese grandmother reminded me of my own mother, and I wanted to offer her the same kindness I’d hope for if roles were reversed.
As we parted ways on the platform, I couldn’t express my wishes for her stay in Venice beyond a warm smile, a wave, and letting her keep my USB-C cable—a small token of shared humanity amid the challenges of travel and language.
Photography by Victoria Song / The Verge
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