How to use DeepL to improve in your target language – How to generate/translate useful phrases for your target language.
Use DeepL to expand your sentence repertoire. Listen to this podcast.
In this episode, I want to talk about DeepL, especially in order to use it as a tool to improve your vocabulary (DeepL to learn English) or to make you sound more natural by using correct sentences. Finally, it all comes down to sound more like a native, right? In general, I think DeepL is massively underestimated at the moment and not very well known. especially outside Europe yet.
What does DeepL stand for
DeepL stands for deep learning.
What is DeepL?
DeepL is a machine learning translation service similar to the better known giants such as Google Translator, Microsoft Translator or Bing. The DeepL translator is a machine translation system that produces translations of unprecedented quality (in my opinion).
DeepL is a company specialized in the development of artificial intelligence for languages.
How does DeepL work??
You can type in any texts and DeepL will then instantly translate them in one of the target languages such as English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese. (More and more languages are being added).
Not only will DeepL translate your text into your target language but also show you useful sentences below the translations, which may support your learning process as well. These sentences help you to remember vocabulary because it shows you real sentences (in context).
For the purpose of the method we want to tackle in this episode, a subscription to DeepL is not necessary. We recommend you to experiment for yourself. You are your best teacher!
Many translators, the media and others say that DeepL is superior to Google translate. Since this episode is not meant to be a full review of DeepL, we will not go into the details. Nevertheless we want to share some review which you can see below:
Tech giants Google, Microsoft and Facebook are all applying the lessons of machine learning to translation, but a small company called DeepL has outdone them all and raised the bar for the field. Its translation tool is just as quick as the outsized competition, but more accurate and nuanced than any we’ve tried.
TechCrunch USA
DeepL was significantly more often correct in its translations than the online services of the large American Internet companies
Spiegel Online
Why I love using DeepL
DeepL is available in more than 12 languages. It comes with a free version. The quality of the service seems to belbetter than of some rivals. I will stick to DeepL.
How to use DeepL to improve your English
Use phrases which you are using in your mot er tongue and translate them with DeepL
The trick is quite simple and would work as well with other translators: Choose a sentence (or more) that you use in your daily life in your native language (Remember: The more relevant sentences or words to your life you try to learn, the better you will be able to remember them). Just type in the text and the translation will show up. You can adjust if necessary by clicking directly into the text. DeepL will show alternative versions (see below). You may alter the phrase minimal and see which inpact it has on the target language.
Usie word chunks from other ressources
Use phrases you come across from other resources, such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Websites, Podcasts etc. You can even download the DeepL software which will allow you to copy paste directly within a browser or tool and it will show the translating instantly in the DeepL Software. The more you can relate to the information, the better you will retain the information. That’s why you should decide wisely, which word chunks you want to tackle on!
Safe the phrases for revision and final words
With the translation of your texts the work is not done. You should store the phrases anywhere. That could be in a physical notebook or on your mobile phone. I personally use a flashcard app called ANKI, which is free and works totally fine. That way, I don’t forget about the phrases I want to remember and can train them on a daily basis by revising them.
Nobody needs to buy expensive online curses from any language guru to get better in a target language 🙂 By following the tip mentioned in this article, chances are you will never hit the so called intermediate plateau while learning a language (take a listen at episode 58“the intermediate plateau”).
With each passing day, machine translation and AI (artificial intelligence) in general gets better and better. This will shape our future drastically. It’s just a matter of time. Remember my words.
Have you ever used DeepL or another machine learning tool to learn a language? Let us know and share your experience with us!
Other useful ressources related to DeepL
DeepL on Youtube
What are some negative opinions
about DeepL?
Not everyone recommends using Machine Translation software to learn a language. For example, Paul from Spanish with Paul (Spanish teacher and youtuber) doesn’t recommend to use Machine Translation in genereal as a learning tool. This video was published in 2017 though. As explained in the previous paragraph, machine translation is getting better and better and the wheel turns faster and faster. On The other hand, If I was a YouTube teacher, I’d say the same thing as Paul 🙂
Deep Learning full course (for free)