When the language of love is lost in translation, Kiwi travellers are jumping online to sustain relationships.
Auckland nurse Philippa Todd started a new friendship in Argentina last year. She couldn't speak Spanish. Her friend had passable English. No problemo - bring in Google Translate.
The pair spoke through the online translator until Todd's friend improved his English. She said many fellow backpackers used the web service with new South American friends - and lovers.
"A lot of people do it if they're in a foreign country. New Zealand offers no free Spanish lessons so you're going to use whatever tools you can to communicate. With some people I met, I used it all the time, every day."
Todd said people who couldn't be bothered carrying clunky phrase books, or could not afford Spanish lessons, were keen on web interpreters.
