Skype's translator rolls out support for French and German languages

Microsoft has released support for French and German for its Skype Translator app.

With the release of these two languages, brings the total number of languages supported by Skype to six, with English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish. This is nearly 30 percent of the world's native speakers.

According to The Verge, Skype Translator works by using a modified version of the Skype Windows 8 app to translate spoken words into text or audio. The software was first introduced back in December during an early preview and while there were a few translation issues, it works well enough to hold a conversation in a language user does not understand.

Though Skype Translator is primarily used for real-time translation between two people who speak and listen to the results, Microsoft is now turning its attention to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Ted Hart, Microsoft researcher has helped the company modify Skype Translator so it allows deaf people to experience a Skype call for the first time. Microsoft recently opened up Skype Translator for anyone to try and with French and German support there is now an even bigger audience for its translation magic.

Microsoft's Skype Translator app is only available on Windows right now, and you will need a Windows 8 or Windows 10 PC to download the app from the Windows Store.