Product Overview: Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator is a comprehensive, cloud-based multilingual machine translation service provided by Microsoft, integrated into various Microsoft products and services. Here’s a detailed look at what the product does and its key features and functionality.
What Microsoft Translator Does
Microsoft Translator is designed to facilitate text and speech translation across a wide range of languages and dialects. It is part of Microsoft Cognitive Services and Azure, enabling businesses, developers, and consumers to integrate multi-language support into their applications, websites, and tools.
Key Features
Text Translation
- The Microsoft Translator Text API allows for the translation of text into any of the supported languages. This service is scalable, offering a free tier for up to two million characters per month and paid tiers for higher volumes.
- Users can translate selected text or entire documents within Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This is accessible through the “Review” tab in these applications.
Speech Translation
- Integrated with Microsoft Speech services, the translator supports speech-to-speech and speech-to-text translation. This functionality is available in the Microsoft Translator apps for Android, iOS, and Windows, as well as in Skype Translator and the live conversation feature.
Custom Translator
- This feature allows enterprises, app developers, and language service providers to build customized neural translation systems tailored to their specific terminology and industry needs. Custom translations can be integrated into existing applications and workflows using the Microsoft Translator API.
Live Conversations
- The live feature enables up to 500 people to engage in multi-device, multi-language, in-person translated conversations. This is available in the Microsoft Translator apps and on the Microsoft Translator website.
Offline Capabilities
- The mobile app offers the ability to download language packages for offline use, making it a useful tool for travelers or areas with limited internet connectivity.
Additional Functions
- Language Detection: Automatically detects the source language of the text.
- Transliteration: Converts text from one script to another, such as between simplified and traditional Chinese.
- Bilingual Dictionary: Provides dictionary definitions and usage examples.
- Phrasebook: Includes common phrases for practice, particularly useful for travelers.
Integration
- Microsoft Translator is integrated into various Microsoft products, including Bing, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Lync, Yammer, Skype, and Visual Studio. It also has dedicated apps for Windows, Windows Phone, iPhone, Apple Watch, Android phone, and Android Wear.
Functionality
User Interface
- Users can input text via keyboard, speech, or handwriting. The app also supports translating texts in photos and screenshots.
- For speech translation, users can tap the microphone icon, select the source and target languages, and start speaking. The translation will appear on the screen.
Web Translation
- The Bing Microsoft Translator web app allows users to translate phrases, entire web pages, or acquire a link to a web page and translate it entirely. The Bilingual Viewer feature displays the original and translated text in parallel, with synchronized highlights, scrolling, and navigation.
Customization
- Users can customize translation resources and options, such as selecting specific bilingual dictionaries and machine translation services through the “Research” pane in Microsoft Office applications.
Microsoft Translator is a versatile tool that caters to a wide range of translation needs, from personal use to enterprise-level applications, making it a powerful asset for anyone requiring multi-language support.