Language plays a major role in building connections. If you've ever needed a split-second translation or worked your way through a foreign language class at school, you've probably used Google Translate. 

For over 20 years, Translate has evolved from a web browser tool to a free app for Android and iOS, helping people read and communicate in other languages. Today, more than 1 billion users ask Google for translation help each month.

Google Translate has now launched a new feature for Android users to help with pronunciation. The tech giant has also published a list of key insights and fun facts over the last two decades.

Read more: The 6 Google AI and Lens Features I'm Using to Plan My Summer Travel

Google Translate's new pronunciation tool 

Today, Google is rolling out a pronunciation practice feature for Android, so you can practice speaking in another language and get real-time feedback. This builds on Google's "ask" and "understand" features, which provide additional context for language learning. The new pronunciation tool uses AI to evaluate your conversational skills and offer tips for improvement. 

When you try the feature out for yourself, Translate will prompt you to repeat phrases, then score your pronunciation and offer specific tips to improve sounds, stress and annunciation.

The pronunciation practice tool is available starting today in the US and India. The languages offered include English, Spanish and Hindi.

How people are using Google Translate 

Translate is useful in everyday situations, from reading news from abroad to traveling to another country. 

For quick offline use, you can download language packs within the app. Once a pack is installed, you can translate text and speech without an internet connection, which is handy on flights or when roaming in a remote area. 

Google Lens also works with Translate to let you point your camera at a menu, sign or plaque and see translated text overlaid on the image. I've tested this feature out before, pointing my iPhone camera at a restaurant menu, which then gave me translations within seconds.

Behind these Translate features are years of machine learning improvements. Google Translate supports almost 250 languages, covering an estimated 95% of the world's population. The service handles trillions of translated words each month across Google products, including Translate, Search, Lens and Circle to Search.

Google previously rolled out Live experiences, a feature that translates real-time conversations using headphones and Google Gemini models. The Live translate option recently became available on iOS, and the company says it's expanding this capability to more countries worldwide for both Android and iOS users. To try it, open the Translate app, tap Live translate and connect your headphones.

Many people use Translate for real-world speaking practice, and about a third of live sessions last longer than five minutes, suggesting they rely on it for real-time conversations rather than just quick searches. 

English to Spanish is the most common go-to language pair in Translate. Other common language pairs include English to Indonesian, Portuguese, Arabic and Turkish. The most commonly translated phrases are about gratitude, connection and love.

Translate also helps with slang idioms and cultural phrases, and now supports emoji and some sign language interpretations through AI-assisted modes.

For more, you can also read how I use Google Lens for all my travels and to explore my favorite hobby.