If you have an Iphone download a free app Google translate , It has a huge A on the Icon, or any phone that has apps actually.
Once you have the App and you get a message you can't understand just press on it and the copy sign comes up press that , then fire up your App and once it opened press the entry area and the paste sign pops up , tap on that and your message will appear before your eyes,then all you have to do is push the blue ok button waalaa it translates the whole thing .
Brilliant.
Its only downfall it needs wifi or internet but if it only messages they can wait till you find wifi.
So simple even i can do it.
Not only that you can change the languages , fantastic.
Hope this helps.
Alan.