Cortana can now instantly translate a multitude of languages

Microsoft's virtual personal assistant Cortana becomes a better holiday companion for European travellers. 

As long as the device packed in a bag is running Windows 10, Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri and Google Now, can now perform its instant translation skills to and from more languages.

If set to English or Chinese, ‘she' could already serve as a handy virtual phrase book but as of Wednesday French, Italian, German and Spanish speakers can now avoid getting tongue-tied when visiting new shores or when in conversation with a friend or potential client from foreign climes.

Users can either ask Cortana for a quick translation or to search for a word, or they can type in words and phrases and hit enter.