Smartphone App to bridge ASEAN language barriers

A Thai software company says it has developed a smartphone application aimed at overcoming language barriers among businesspeople in Asia.

The ASEAN One application will translate about 100 useful phrases into the 10 languages of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as English.

The Thai company developing the software, iGnite Asia, says it is aimed mainly at frequent business travelers.

CEO Jirath Pavaravadhana says, if successful, they will expand the application's capabilities, "The language would be the main theme, but, apart from language, you would have currencies, directories, map and everything."

Head of marketing, Nataphol Pavaravadhana, says it will also be a useful tool for students studying a neighboring country's language.

"So we intend to penetrate the market by using the university connection, and another one is government support," he says.

The Thai company says it hopes ASEAN countries promote the application as a tool to help realize ASEAN's goal of forming an economic community by 2015.

ASEAN One is expected to be released around June and will be paid for through advertising, making it free for consumers.

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（來源：VOA 編輯：Rosy）