Now Skype Speaks Arabic

Microsoft announced that its Skype Translator now supports Arabic. Skype Translator is a tool that translates one’s speech into text. Other than Arabic Skype Translator speaks eight different languages including English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.

This feature is only available for Windows users. According to the Skype team, Microsoft selected Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) for use in the Skype Translator since MSA is used throughout the Arab-speaking world in written and formal communications. “This version of Arabic is taught in schools and used by journalists, for example,” They added

Microsoft has been compiling a lot of  Arabic translation data for its users, although it is only for windows and still in preview.

In a press brief last month, Skype corporate vice president Gurdeep Pall pointed out that “Perfectionists might not be satisfied with Skype Translator’s work in Arabic right now.” But “Being able to translate from one language to seven others and then back in addition to the more than 50 languages supported in chat message translation is actually quite significant.” She added

To turn on Skype Translator for Arabic, click the globe button in the chat window with a given user, and you can select that language for both chat messages and spoken language.