Skype Introduces New Real-Time Conversation Translation Tool

Skype has introduced a new tool called 'Skype Translator' with the release of a video preview. In this video, two students, one in a port city near Seattle in the U.S. and the other in Mexico City, converse in their respective languages, one in English and the other in Spanish, while Skype translates their conversation in real-time. According to CNET, Skype has solved the language barrier issue by providing live translation of conversations. Now, some Skype users can engage in real-time conversations with users in other countries without knowing the other language. On Monday, December 15 (December 24), Skype announced the launch of this new tool, stating that real-time translation of conversations is currently only available in English and Spanish, but written messages can be translated into 40 different languages. Gordip Pal, Vice President of Skype and head of its research division, wrote on the company's official blog: 'Skype has made it possible for people to communicate regardless of their language diversity by removing another barrier.' CNET further reports that according to Skype, this program is ready for use, and users must have Windows-equipped devices and register on the Skype Translator sign-in page to access it. This program not only translates conversations in real-time but also displays the conversation as text on the screen and translates messages into 40 different languages. Skype states that these services are still in the testing phase, and potential errors in user processes will be resolved by the tool's self-learning algorithms. In his blog message, Gordip Pal added: 'Our ultimate goal in simultaneous oral translation is to translate as many available languages as possible on as many possible devices.' The official Skype website states that 'real-time translation is one example of Microsoft's investment in research. After a decade of investing in the development of audio methods and technologies (such as voice recognition and automatic translation), these tools are now part of our personal computers. Skype translation is one of the visible results of these efforts.' Skype began its operations in 2003 with trial services and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011. Skype states: 'The Skype translation software is based on self-learning machines, and as a result, the more this technology is used, the smarter it becomes. We started with translating English and Spanish. As we improve it, we are working to expand translation to other languages. By registering your preferred language, you help us identify and develop translation services for it.'