Their Secret to a Happy Marriage? A Translation App
NYT Homepage
by Kashmir Hill and Oliver FarshiFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In a heartwarming story of love and technology, David Duda and Hong Liang, a couple from New Haven, Connecticut, have found an unconventional yet effective way to maintain their happy marriage despite speaking different languages. Mr. Duda, who speaks English, and Ms. Liang, who speaks Mandarin, rely heavily on Microsoft Translator, a smartphone app that translates spoken words into text, allowing them to communicate seamlessly in real-time. This innovative tool has become an essential part of their daily lives, transforming how they interact and connect with each other.
The couple met in Xi’an, China, in 2019 and married shortly after. While their relationship is built on love, communication has always been a challenge due to the language barrier. Instead of letting this be a hindrance, they embraced technology as a solution. They use the app not just for casual conversations but also during walks, where one navigates while the other reads translated messages on their phone. This reliance on technology is so crucial that they carry eight external batteries to ensure their phones never die, as communication would come to a halt without power.
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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/14/2026