Skype Translator can translate text and voice in real time in multiple languages, and will come with Windows 10 on July 29.
Skype Translator, the Skype function capable of translating text and voice messages in real time in different languages, comes to Windows 10 within the Skype application for the new operating system. This new app will be available on July 29. The version of Skype Translator with Windows 10 will be compatible with the previous version, it is currently available only for first adopters and people who want to try the new tool before it reaches the public.
Skype Translator currently includes compatibility with four languages—English, Spanish, Italian and Chinese Mandarin – that can be translated into audio and voice. Also, Skype Translator supports 50 languages to translate into text. Microsoft continues to work to continue adding more languages to support Skype Translator in future releases.
To download Skype Translator, simply visit Skype and download the version compatible with your operating system. Until recently, you needed an invitation and register to download the software, but in July Microsoft removed the requirement. Skype Translator may now be downloaded and opened.
The editorial director of CNET tested the service last December, saying “Skype Translator previews short phrases, words, changes gender, eliminates the plural and literally translates every phrase. It also gets many things right about translating, how to translate short sentences and give a very clear notion of the meaning of the phrases the caller, it can be a huge advantage for someone who does not understand anything of that language”.
In very general terms, there are five basic components that drive technology of Skype Translator says Olivier Fontana, director of product marketing at Microsoft Translator for Microsoft Research.
A robot (or bot) that manages the conversation, translation, audio and makes the connection between the two parties. It’s like the “interpreter” says Fontana.
A voice recognition engine that has the same skills of the virtual assistant Cortana, but enhanced and machine learning based on neural network deep (deep neural network machine learning, in English).
A system that compares what is written or said a voice correction engine (speech engine correction) to determine the punctuation, capitalization, eliminating breaks and comparison of sentences and text in your database to make corrections.
Use the translator Microsoft Translator for text, available in Bing or Outlook.
And finally, the same engine of Microsoft Translator “reads” the text aloud. Microsoft Translator is also based on machine learning.
Machine learning is, in simple terms, an algorithm that compares two things (a phrase in one language to another in another, or a text with audio). Microsoft is using the recordings made with Skype conversations from Translator Preview (respecting privacy, insists Fontana), to compare what he said with what the subject transcribed the system.Then a human evaluates and determines which selections were well made or make corrections and put that information to improve voice recognition system and insert these adjustments to the algorithm of machine learning. “Someone has to tell the machine if something is right for me to learn,” says Fontana.
Skype has 300 million active users each month worldwide.
