Since its launch in December 2014, Skype Translator has been facilitating connections and relationships across languages, and has now taken a further step by making Arabic available as a Skype Translator spoken language.
The company says each of Skype Translator’s language releases has been very important for it, bringing it one step closer to breaking down language barriers for people across the world. “Human connection is at the core of everything we do at Skype,” says a spokesman.
“The Arabic language release is especially important to us, because there is such a diverse Arabic speaking population all over the world,” he adds. “The ability to communicate with someone in their own language has the potential to enhance and build important relationships. For example, younger generations who speak a different language can communicate with extended family; or newly formed and migrating families are able to stay connected with family and friends back home; or educational institutions can tap the vast pool of knowledge between cultures.”
There are many scenarios where Skype Translator can enhance communication and understanding, from education and travel, to non-profit organizations–the ideas are endless.
“Specifically, we are releasing Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) which is used in the Middle East and Northern Africa as a standard form of the Arabic language,” the spokesman continues. “Unlike dialects which may vary greatly from country to country, 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.”
Arabic is the official language of 22 countries. It’s the native language of more than 200-million people residing in a geographical region stretching from Southwest Asia to Northwest Africa.