The latest articles on DEV Community by kenny-fred (@kennyfred). https://dev.to/kennyfred https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4114004%2F916e9922-10df-4154-b99f-57353f7b19e1.jpg https://dev.to/kennyfred en kenny-fred Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:09:22 +0000 https://dev.to/kennyfred/sayto-3hn9 https://dev.to/kennyfred/sayto-3hn9 <h2> Why ? </h2> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fszdqh7qtimcve38084fj.jpg" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fszdqh7qtimcve38084fj.jpg" alt=" " width="800" height="600"></a></p> <p>I’ve always been interested in how we use language technologies, especially when translation becomes more than simply converting one language into another.</p> <p>So I started building <strong>Sayto</strong>.</p> <p>Sayto is a web application that combines translation with features such as voice interaction, translation history, favourites, statistics and personalised suggestions.</p> <p>The goal isn't to build another Google Translate.</p> <h2> How it works </h2> <p>The current version is built with:</p> <ul> <li>HTML, CSS and JavaScript</li> <li>Node.js + Express</li> <li>LibreTranslate</li> <li>Docker</li> </ul> <p>The frontend communicates with a Node.js backend, which handles translation and other application features.</p> <p>For translation itself, Sayto uses a local LibreTranslate instance running in Docker.</p> <p>I've also experimented with browser speech recognition to make voice input possible.</p> <h2> The role of LibreTranslate </h2> <p>LibreTranslate is currently at the heart of Sayto's translation system.</p> <p>I'm using it because it gives me a practical way to experiment with the application and focus on the user experience, voice interaction, personalisation and other features around translation.</p> <p>But I don't want Sayto to depend on LibreTranslate forever.</p> <p>One of my long-term goals is to develop my own translation model and eventually integrate it into Sayto.</p> <p>For me, LibreTranslate is therefore not the end goal. It's part of the foundation that allows me to build and experiment today while working towards something more ambitious.</p> <h2> Where I want to take it </h2> <p>I'm still exploring what Sayto could become.</p> <p>I'd like to investigate how translation, voice interaction and usage data could be combined to create a more personalised language experience.</p> <p>I'm also interested in getting feedback from developers, language-learning experts and anyone working with educational or language technologies.</p> <p><strong>If you were building Sayto, what would you explore next?</strong></p> <p>I'd genuinely like to hear your ideas.</p> ai webdev javascript showdev