Siri learns Japanese

Apple Insider reports.

Given that recent rumours have claimed Siri will understand and speak Japanese, Mandarin and Russian as soon as March, Siri's admission could be taken as evidence that Japanese support, at the least, is imminent.

When asked what languages it can speak, Siri responds: "I speak Japanese, English, German and French. I'm studying some new languages, too."

Despite what Siri says, however, Japanese is not yet showing up as an option in Siri's languages settings, TUAW notes.

Full support for Japanese and any additional languages will likely require an iOS update, With the last update to the iOS 5.1 beta having taken place more than a month ago, industry speculation points to iOS 5.1 getting its public launch alongside the next-generation iPad, an announcement of which is expected in early March.

Apple has committed to increasing Siri's linguistic capabilities in 2012, with support for Spanish, Korean and Italian expected later this year. Sadly, it appears Siri still has no love for the Scots.

When Siri was announced in October, Apple said that additional languages would follow this year, 9to5 Mac writes.

Apple's Siri FAQ says she will support Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish in 2012.