Babel Fish? Skype Translator provides instantaneous translations for videoconferences

Story and images by Manish Singh / WinBeta Earlier this year, 

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced “Skype Translator”, a ground breaking feature which would allow two people speaking in different languages to have audio conversations. At the company’s Worldwide Partner Conference event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a development to that project — Skype Translator now facilitates video conferencing as well.

Source: www.telepresenceoptions.com

Although universal communication among people speaking different languages is certainly a worthy goal, I am reluctant to embrace the technology that allegedly allows instantaneous translation during audio/video conferences among speakers of different languages–for many reasons.

  • My ethnic Kazakh daughter and I are bilingual (English & Russian), and I have found that the act, itself, of learning a new language necessarily draws one closer to the customs and practices of the people who use the language in their day-to-day lives (requiring an examination of nearly every aspect of the lives of those who speak the “different language”–allowing, at least the feeling of, adoption of a new and different culture).
  • Language (particularly oral as opposed to written) is an imprecise method of communication, and even experienced translators will attest that different languages have idiosyncrasies that do not allow for an accurate or precise communication of a particular idea, description or opinion sought to be сonveyed. Подвиг (Podvig) is a Russian word used to describe a particular idea in Eastern Orthodox Christianity is an example of one such word–though others may disagree
  • Because of the decline of formal language usage in favor of slang and the explosion of the use of acronyms (SMH, YOLO, WTF), and the multitudes of “figures of speech”, I am skeptical that current technology exists that would allow a computer program algorithm to translate accurately and instantaneously the communications between people speaking different languages.
  • Upon reflection, I could not support the widespread use of the technology described in this article. Language, in its many different and beautiful forms, is a reflection of the culture, history and heritage of those who speak it.

See on Scoop.itHuman Rights

2,157 thoughts on “Babel Fish? Skype Translator provides instantaneous translations for videoconferences

  1. I was extremely pleased to find this page. I
    want to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!!
    I definitely appreciated every litttle bit of it annd
    I have you book-marked to chsck out new things onn your website.

    Like

    Reply
  2. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future
    and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to
    suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.
    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this
    article. I want to read more things about it!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Wonjderful goods from you, man. I hwve taie into account your
    stuff prfevious to and you are simply extremely wonderful.
    I actually like whawt you’ve acquired right here,
    really like whjat you’re saying and the wayy in whidh
    in which you assert it. You are making it enjoyable and you continue to
    tke care of to stay it wise. I cant wait to leaarn much more
    from you. That is really a great site.

    Like

    Reply
  4. After looking over a handful of the blog posts on your web site,
    I truly like your way of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my
    bookmark website list and will be checking back in the
    near future. Take a look at my web site as well and let me
    know your opinion.

    Like

    Reply
  5. Hi! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d
    figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?

    My site discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit
    from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot
    me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog
    by the way!

    Like

    Reply
  6. m88's avatarm88

    Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have youu been blogging for?
    you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site
    is great, let alone the content!

    Like

    Reply
  7. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
    like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could
    do with some pics to drive the message home
    a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

    Like

    Reply
  8. m88's avatarm88

    Useful information. Fortunate mme I discovered your web site accidentally, and I am surprised why this aaccident didn’t happened earlier!
    I bookmarked it.

    Like

    Reply
  9. We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just
    what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write with regards to here.
    Again, awesome site!

    Like

    Reply
  10. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but,
    I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog
    you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and
    I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    Like

    Reply
  11. Hi there very cool website!! Man .. Excellent
    .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also?

    I am satisfied to find numerous helpful information here within the submit,
    we want develop extra techniques in this regard,
    thanks for sharing. . . . . .

    Like

    Reply
  12. Great article! This is the kind of info that should be shared across the net.

    Shame on the search engines for now not positioning
    this post higher! Come on over and seek advice from my website .
    Thank you =)

    Like

    Reply
  13. Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so
    I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say,
    I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still
    new to the whole thing. Do you have any points
    for beginner blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.

    Like

    Reply
  14. clash of clans hack deutsch's avatarclash of clans hack deutsch

    Hey I am so grateful I found your blog page, I really
    found you by accident, while I was researching on Askjeeve for
    something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like
    to say cheers for a fantastic post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also
    added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb work.

    Like

    Reply
  15. clash of clans hack german's avatarclash of clans hack german

    If some one desires expert view on the topic of running
    a blog then i propose him/her to visit this
    website, Keep up the good job.

    Like

    Reply
  16. Hello there I am so happy I found your blog page, I reaally found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot
    for a incredible post and a all round interesting
    blogg (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but
    I havee book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time
    I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep
    up the great jo.

    Like

    Reply
  17. Hey I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really foound you by mistake,
    while I was browsing on Askjeedve for something else, Anyways I am
    heere now and would just like tto say thanks ffor a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
    browse it alll at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added yourr RSS feeds, so when I
    have time I will be back tto read more, Please do keep upp
    the superb job.

    Like

    Reply
  18. ‘Dokters, ,’ groette hij saluerend. ‘Het is goed dat u gekomen bent.
    Ik stond juist op het punt u te gaan halen. Het loopt
    met behoorlijk uit de hand. Ik heb er geen verstand , maar u moet zelf maar kijken. Achter elkaar holden ze de trappen op naar de eerste etage, waar Mc Bain zijn

    Like

    Reply
  19. whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your posts.
    Keep up the great work! You already know, many persons are hunting round forr this information, you can aidd them
    greatly.

    Like

    Reply
  20. This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep
    a reader entertained. Between your wiit
    and yolur videos, I was almoswt moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
    I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
    how you presented it. Too cool!

    Like

    Reply
  21. I’m extremely impressed with yopur writing skills and also with the
    layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog
    likke this one today.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment