Nope, the Google speech translation feature is not yet available, but many experts believe that it will not have the capability that we would hope to see in a true translation device.

While figures of speech are obviously the most difficult concepts to translate without manual editing from a human being, even the translation of basic context is difficult unless handled by a professional translator.

Many are already expecting the Google application to work like now defunct AltaVista Babel Fish translator. Regardless of the naysayers, this is a truly important step that Google has undertaken.

Many are already saying that the concept is too difficult to create. Google is saying, why not? It would certainly be interesting to see Google’s application push through and become a fully functional feature on their mobile phones.

Read more about Google’s translation software and the general history of electronic based translation attempts and how today’s modern translators are working at the news article from Times Online UK.