GenieTalk, an automatic interpretation and translating app, will contribute to the successful hosting of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

The language app will again play an active part in the upcoming winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, after its successful use during the Incheon 2012 Asian Games, where it served as a bridge to help with communication.

GenieTalk is an interpretation and translation app developed by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and other organizations in 2008. Anyone with a smartphone can download the app from either the Google Playstore or Apple’s Appstore for free.





The app is equipped with voice recognition software, and can translate typed text and text within images. During the Incheon 2012 Asian Games, it operated among four languages -- Korean, English, simplified Chinese and Mandarin, and Japanese. It was mainly used by volunteers to help communicate with athletes, coaches and staff from other countries.

The app has since been improved, reflecting the opinions of those who used the app during the Incheon games. Currently, it can provide language services in those four plus two additional languages: Spanish and French.

For the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, another two more languages will be added, too: Russian and Arabic.

During the ceremony, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Chong said, “We believe GenieTalk is important for revitalizing the tourism industry in Korea.”

“We will actively support its promotion,” he said.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
arete@korea.kr