The language barrier is all part of the fun in travel but sometimes you just need to understand each other, Skype’s got you covered with their new translator tool.
I once went to a supermarket in Steinen, Germany to get groceries to cook dinner. I didn’t realise there would be no english translations at all on anything and had to guess what everything was based on the pictures.
Yes, this took me a while but the real fun started when I had to get lamb shanks from the butcher. You see, lamb shank isn’t a regular cut in Germany and I had to try and explain what it was – the conversation went something like “lamm … groß… bone?.. nein klein bone.. groß!! ” then more fun ensued when she was trying to figure out the amount I wanted. 3 kilos? 3 pieces? Chop this one piece into 3 pieces? It makes a great travel story and it definitely contributes to the whole travel experience.
However, sometimes you just need to communicate, whether you needed to conduct an important business meeting or talk to a friend you met in your travels who don’t have a good grasp of the english language. Skype’s stepping in to help us out with this predicament.
Microsoft’s launched a test version of the Skype Translator which decodes conversations in Spanish and English in real time.
It means that during video calls people who speak those languages will be able to talk freely.
“Skype Translator will open up endless possibilities for people around the world to connect, communicate and collaborate”
Gurdeep Pall, Microsoft
Watch the video below while two school children, one in Mexico City and the other in Tacoma in Washington talk over Skype. One classroom speaking Spanish and the other speaking English.
The program has launched with only two spoken languages available, English and Spanish, and over 40 instant messaging languages.
