Alexa is now bilingual with more languages: Here is how to enable them
Amazon's Alexa voice assistant has been bilingual for a year now, with the option to speak in both English and Spanish added for US customers in 2019.
Now Amazon has expanded this feature, bringing an additional handful of languages to Alexa's bilingual abilities. Once enabled, you can speak to Alexa in either of the two languages you have chosen, and the assistant will reply using the same language as you.
Read More:
- Amazon Echo and Alexa: The complete beginner's guide to everything the assistant can do
- Alexa Voice Profile features and security: How Alexa recognizes you
- How to print crosswords, lists and worksheets by speaking to Alexa
Available now, the update means Alexa can pair English with German, French, Canadian-French, Japanese, Spanish, US-Spanish and Hindi. Once enabled, you can speak to Alexa in English or one of those second languages, and she will reply fluently in whichever you use.
Also new us how you don't need to dive into the Alexa app to make the assistant bilingual. Instead, just say: "Alexa, speak English and French", or whichever second language you want. The assistant will then tell you that some features aren't available in both languages, and ask you to confirm that this is okay. Once confirmed, Alexa will reply in the new second language, and you're good to go.
Alexa's new language abilities join the existing pairs of English and Spanish in the US, Indian English and Hindi in India, and Canadian English and French in Canada.
If you no longer want Alexa to speak a second language, just say: "Alexa, stop speaking French," or whichever second language you chose earlier.
It has been a busy few weeks for Alexa, as it has also learnt how to spot when your questions infer something else. Amazon previously explained how, when you ask Alexa how long to steep tea, for, the assistant will followup by asking if you'd like to set a timer for five minutes.
Alexa has also gained new abilities with its Routines system, incorporating Amazon's Fire TV streaming devices for the first time. Again using Amazon's example, you can create a Routine where, when you say "Alexa, I'm grabbing a drink" it will pause whatever you are watching through Fire TV and switch on the kitchen lights.
