microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys
Language translation Tools
- Dominant language
- C
- Stars
- 139k
- Forks
- 8.6k
- PR merge metrics
- PR metrics pending
Description
### Description of the new feature / enhancement
Windows should have more multi-language tools built into the platform (not just into the browser).
**TYPE + TRANSLATE**
Quickly being able to write something in one language and then instantly translate (+paste) the content in a new language would be ideal. _NOTE: This function is already built into the SWIFTKEY keyboard for iOS._
The ideal location for such a tool is in the same context window that appears when you press WIN+V for the clipboard or WIN+. for the Emoji keyboard, etc. Inserting a TRANSLATION tool like in SWIFTKEY would be a game-changer for those of us who interact in multiple languages.
**SELECT+TRANSLATE**
Although the ability to translate text from one language to another exists in EDGE (RightClick -> Translate to English), Windows is missing this ability universally across all applications and Windows. We should be able to highlight any text and/or right-click on any element to translate it into a selected language. This is a function of iOS - for example, allowing the user to highlight a message in WhatsApp -> long press -> translate - this produces a pop-up window with the original and translated text.
### Scenario when this would be used?
There are many uses for system-native translation functions, specifically when interacting with apps and documents that have different languages. For example, chatting and conversations inside of WhatsAll. Reading a PDF document that is in another language. Typing a multi-language response email (ie. English/Italian) in Outlook, editing a non-native language document in MS Word. For those of use that interact on a global scale, Windows could do a lot more to make multi-language interactions easier and more fluid. It's an area where some POWERTOOLS would be grately appreciated.
### Supporting information
https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/swiftkey-keyboard/how-to-use-microsoft-translator-with-your-microsoft-swiftkey-keyboard
Contributor guide
Research direction
No files, tests, or entry points are named. Start by reviewing the proposed WIN+V and WIN+. context surfaces and the linked SwiftKey Translator reference, then determine how system-wide selected-text translation would fit PowerToys. Done should cover both translating typed text for insertion and translating selected text across applications, with clear language-selection behavior.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- desktop, internationalization, localization, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100