Toshiba develops voice recognition translation software

Toshiba has developed a new translation system that will allow cell phone users to automatically translate from voice to print in three languages: Japanese, Chinese and English.

Unlike earlier versions of the company’s voice recognition translation programs, the new edition operates offline within the cell phone, rather than connecting to another network.

Like all voice recognition systems, the Toshiba translation software is far from fool-proof; errors take place due to intonation, enunciation and word context. “In tests the software worked well although like all speech recognition systems was prone to misidentifying certain words. This caused problems with the translation and the only solution was to try again -- sometimes with the result that the same error would be made,” writes Martyn Williams for PC World. “However on some occasions it got things right and not only recognized the question but successfully translated it.”

While such an application can’t be expected to replace human language translation in complex subjects, it could be better than nothing when travelling in China or Japan. Indeed, the program is primarily designed to deal with the “survival” language needed on trips.

Contact a qualified language service agency such as Language Translation, Inc. in San Diego, California for your company’s translation questions and needs. We keep up with the latest technology and can advise your firm of what can – and can’t – be done by automatic translation systems.

Betty Carlson