If you’re a bit of a nerd like me you’re probably a fan of Star Trek and know all about their universal translators, which is why all the alien races can speak to each other.

Well, that’s sort of why I’m very excited about the latest ECTACO iTRAVL device for communicating with people around the world who speak different languages. For me it’s the beginning of science fiction becoming science fact, and I love it!

This translator device is said to contain some of the world’s best voice recognition software, containing thousands of words from many different languages so you can speak in the console and have it translate with a spoken word or phrase from English to Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Hebrew, Turkish and back again!

For me this is a device I’ve always wanted, you literally speak into it and it speaks back to you in whatever language you choose. It’s a great way of learning a language and it is also an invaluable tool when trying to get by in a foreign country.

As well as translating your words and phrases the device has an iHelp system with a wealth of commonly used phrases for each of the countries in its database, so you can be gracious and polite in all the different countries you visit – utilizing customary language and phrases.

There are games installed so you can learn phrases from each language, using for brushing up and passing the time on boring flights.

All the voices used are recordings of real people from each country, each with their particular accents and various nuences, speaking from a dictionary of over 70,000 words.

The iTravl 9ME also contain a fact book on all the countries in the world, with hints and tips on what to look out for and what dangers to be aware of.

As well as trips abroad the  ECTACO  iTRAVL NTL-9ME is ideal for impressing/helping foreign visitors, such as business people, travellers and exchange students.