What Does This Say? is an idea for a communal mobile photo blog designed to aid those travelling in a land where they do not read the language.

As I discovered on my recent trip to Japan, it is often quite easy to get around even though you don't know the language. However, as you get off the beaten path or away from major metropolitan areas, the challenge increases. A basic phrase dictionary might help you with common tasks but will be of little help when you run into a sign, menu or other written materials presented with no translation.

If you have a camera phone, imagine taking a picture and sending it along with an urgency code (realtime (navigation sign, menu), a few minutes, no rush just curious, etc.).

The backend could work several different ways. If this was a free community effort, queries could be posted to a public blog, and anyone could post a translation (which would also be sent back to the traveller's phone). A reputation system based on translation quality should be implemented, in order to avoid a "my hovercraft is full of eels" situation. A points system (deduct points based on urgency of request, reward points for successful and highly-rated translations) could also be implemented.

Alternately, the service could be run as a commercial enterprise, with a small payment added to your mobile bill for each translation request (adjusted based on urgency of request).

Just thinking out loud :)

// mikepop via hiptop AIM: drjellyfish