Microsoft’s answer to Apple Inc’s Siri, Cortana, just became a little more impressive after integrating Microsoft Translator. The personal digital assistant is now something of a polyglot being able to instantly translate words, phrases and entire sentences into 40 languages – for Chinese and U.S. editions of Windows 10 at least.

Real-time translation has already been integrated with Skype, as well as available as an app for smartwatches, phones, tablets, and PCs. While it’s not perfect, as a travelling companion instant translations could prove to be indispensable. Our advice when using such a tool is: speak clearly and go easy on the idioms. If Cortana doesn’t understand what you’re trying to say, or is unable to find a translation, it will open up a webpage to help your given words.

Windows 10 users can now say, “Hey Cortana, how do you say…” and then add the language you want it to translate. For example, you’re in France and want to tell the waiter you’re gluten intolerant. You’d say, “Hey Cortana, how do you say I have a gluten intolerance in French?” Your handy assistant would reply, “J’ai une intolérance au gluten.” And that might save you a stomach upset. You can also replace “Hey Cortana, how do you say” to “Hey Cortana, translate.”

Another option would be to type the word or phrase into the taskbar, but that’s not really the point. As you’re pushing through one of Thailand’s packed-out labyrinthine bazaars and need to quickly ask “Where is the nearest toilet?” fiddling with keys might be the last thing you want to do. Another thing is that languages such as Thai, Japanese or Polish, among others, are notoriously difficult to pronounce. As well as bringing the translation up on screen, you can also hear Cortana tell you how it’s meant to sound.

For now it’s only available to translate from Chinese and English, but Microsoft says it will support other languages in the near future. For a full of list of supported languages check out the Microsoft Translator blog.

Photo credit: M S via Flickr