Live Language Translation Service from Skype

When I read the title Skype Offers Live Language Translation at NewsFactor Network, my first thought was “wah!! don't tell me Skype offers automated computerized speech translation?”

Luckily my first thought was proven wrong, or my jaws will drop haha. Though computerized speech translation is possible, and researches are on-going, but definitely not commercially viable at this stage.

The new language translation service from Skype is relying on the oldest and yet most trustable method – human translation. The back-stage technology is provided by Voxeo, and interpreters are sourced from Language Line Services. This service is charged at USD 2.99 per minute.

In order to request for the language translation service, you must first subscribe to SkypeOut, the low cost alternative for making landline calls. The translation service charge will be billed to SkypeOut account.

I'm currently reading a book titled The World Is Flat: The Globalized World in the Twenty-first Century, authored by Thomas Friedman, which convinces you on the idea of flat world, instead of the factual round. This book explains the idea of flat world, with insight examples into the forces of globalization, and how the business arena evolves in the flatted playground. Yes, this language translation service from Skype, is now another new force in the leveled business world, where geographical barrier is eliminated to another greater extend. Closing a deal remotely is just getting easier and more feasible.