Skype is the name of a computer program people used to call each other over the internet — voice or video — instead of a normal phone line. For years it was how families abroad stayed in touch: “I’ll Skype you tonight.” You could also send messages.

Skype是 the name of a computer program people used to call each other over the internet一個讓大家透過網路互相通話的電腦程式的名字——voice or video不管是語音還是視訊——instead of a normal phone line取代一般的電話線。for years好幾年來 it was how families abroad stayed in touch這是海外家庭保持聯絡的方式：“I’ll Skype you tonight.”「我今晚 Skype 你。」you could also send messages也可以傳訊息。

It began as a company product; Microsoft later bought it, and in time the old Skype app was closed, with people pointed towards other Microsoft tools.

it began as a company product一開始是一家公司的產品；Microsoft later bought it後來微軟買下了它，and in time the old Skype app was closed過了一段時間，舊版的 Skype app 就關閉了，with people pointed towards other Microsoft tools大家被導向其他微軟的工具。

Though actually a lot of people still say Skype the way they say Google — as a stand-in for any video call, even on a different app.

though actually不過事實上 a lot of people still say Skype the way they say Google很多人講 Skype 還是像講 Google 一樣——as a stand-in for any video call拿來當作「視訊通話」的代稱，even on a different app就算用的是別的 app 也一樣。

In class, treat it as a brand name that became a verb: to Skype someone. Always a capital S in careful writing.

in class在課堂上，treat it as a brand name that became a verb把它當成一個變成動詞的品牌名：to Skype someone就是「Skype 某人」。always a capital S in careful writing正式書寫裡永遠要大寫 S。