WATCH: Cute kids demo Skype real-time translator

 

 

Skype, Microsoft's videoconferencing platform, is moving a step closer to becoming a real-life "Star Trek" universal translator with its Skype Translator preview program.

 

Microsoft's Gurdeep Pall said the first phase of the Skype Translator preview program kicked off with two spoken languages, Spanish and English.

 

"(A)nd 40+ instant messaging languages will be available to Skype customers who have signed-up via the Skype Translator sign-up page and are using Windows 8.1 on the desktop or device," Pall said in a blog post.

 

But he said the program is starting with English and Spanish, even as Microsoft needs the public's help for other languages.

 

"We are starting with English and Spanish, and as more people use the Skype Translator preview with these languages, the quality will continually improve. We also need your help to expedite new language releases. So make sure you sign up, let your language preferences be known and get involved!" he said.

 

Pall said Microsoft had asked two schools to try Skype Translator – Peterson School in Mexico City, and Stafford Elementary School in Tacoma.

 

Students taking part in the demo played a "Mystery Skype" game, where children ask questions to determine the location of the other school.

 

"One classroom of children speaking Spanish and the other speaking English, Skype Translator removed this language barrier and enabled them to communicate – the video shows their wonderful reactions," he said.

 

Pall said Skype Translator is the fruit of Microsoft’s investments in speech recognition, automatic translation and machine learning technologies for more than a decade.

 

He said Skype Translator relies on machine learning, "which means that the more the technology is used, the smarter it gets."

 

"Our long-term goal for speech translation is to translate as many languages as possible on as many platforms as possible and deliver the best Skype Translator experience on each individual platform for our more than 300 million connected users," he said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News