There are more than 100 different languages spoken in the UK alone. Developments like cheap air travel and social networking mean we talk to people from across the globe on a daily basis. The only barrier is language, and Skype is aiming to remove it with its call translator.

Gone are the days where intrepid travellers would touch down on foreign soil without having any clue how to get around. In today's hyperconnected world, travellers are able to thoroughly research, itemise and plan their holidays on a level that's never before been possible.

From ramen shops to sushi stands, there’s no doubt that eating out is big business in Japan. But authentic, local dining is off-limits to many foreigners due to the formidable language barrier that persists outside major cities. Could an app get tourists to pick up the chopsticks?

Stuck in a Paris patisserie, desperate to figure out how to ask for those canelés you’ve been eyeing up? With Google’s new futuristic translation services, you’ll be able to say what you want into your phone – or use your camera to translate the menu.