Skype Translator, which allows people who speak different languages to communicate in real time over Skype, was updated Tuesday with support for Arabic. The new language, like the rest of Skype Translator, is still in preview but is available to anyone who uses the tool.

Arabic joins English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Italian and Portuguese (Brazilian) in Skype's growing lineup of languages. Microsoft says that adding Arabic was particularly important to the company as it could help migrating families, nonprofit organizations and other groups who need to speak to people in the 22 countries where Arabic is the official language,

 

 IMAGE: SKYPE

Those who have downloaded the Skype Translator Preview, can find Arabic in the app's language settings.

Though the tool is ready to use now, it is still in preview so the translations won't be perfect. In two demos I saw of the software, Translator appeared to handle basic conversations well, but sometimes stumbled with more complex sentences or misheard words. (In one case it mistook the word "bye" for "vine," while in another conversation it appeared to substitute "Crown Princess" for "England.")

Still, as we've noted previously, Skype Translator is impressively quick and effective overall. Microsoft says it expects the translations will improve quite a bit as more people begin using the software.

Source: mashable.com