The Tower of Babel, Lexifone and a Universal Translator….

from JoeUser Forums

 

 

Well, it isn’t quite at the Star Trek Universal Translator level just yet, but…. we might just be on the way to fixing the results of King Nimrod’s overweening pride.

Lexifone (http://www.lexifone.com/) has come up with a meld between voice recognition  and TTS software to produce real time translation between you and the person at the other end of the phone (that can be face to face, or distant), VoIP, and land line as well as cellular.. It currently exists for six languages:

“Currently, the technology can translate in real time between six popular languages – English, French, German, Spanish, etc. (other languages are slated for development as well). Once the system is implemented, users can get automatic translations via telephone (landline or cellphone) – speaking in their own language, with their words translated into the language of the person on the other side of the line, and vice-versa.” - http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/150386

This may be of incredible importance in communication for international rescue teams in disaster areas, doctors treating international patients as well as everyday business and personal communication.

Thus, say a hotel in Spain wants to ease communications for reservations from America or China. It sets up a phone number in that country for people to call, and then when they do while they speak their native language, the clerk in Spain hears the question in Spanish although asked in English or Chinese (Mandarin, most likely). The clerk answers in Spanish, but the person at the other end hears the answer in English or Chinese.

“The technology, based on advanced algorithms and clever use of TTS and other voice to text technologies, is impressive: So much so that that the company this week announced that it has received a $2 million investment from Canadian web branding company Internetainment (for 25% of Lexifone), which will use Lexifone's technology on its Ortsbo email translation, chat site and app.” – ibid

This is really great, imo. This will help break down the walls which separate people and increase understanding. It might end up saving lives as well.

Check it out…  http://www.lexifone.com/

28,316 views 17 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well, things in Israel aren't really all so negative as 'some' people would have you think, Steven...

http://israel21c.org/culture/bus-stop-books-israels-newest-public-library

http://israel21c.org/health/israeli-team-develops-gps-accuracy-for-keyhole-neurosurgery-using-mini-robot

http://israel21c.org/technology/israel-to-energize-michigans-hybrid-and-electric-batteries

http://israel21c.org/health/

http://israel21c.org/technology/

http://israel21c.org/environment/

And on, and on....

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I didn't misunderstand, StevenAus (ironic, no?)... the links are meant to show folks in general another side of Israel, (the best one imo) and I didn't think your response was negative at all... quite the opposite.

:)

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Well I am just glad it doesn't include Russian. I am kind of banking on translation as a career.  :grin:

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

[quote] WOW! [quote]

Now maybe there will be straight talk between nations without all the "What did you mean?"type stuff. Something this world needs desperately!

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

[quote who="Uvah" reply="6" id="3034855"][quote] WOW!



Now maybe there will be straight talk between nations without all the "What did you mean?"type stuff. Something this world needs desperately!
End of quote

Hmmm, lets think about that a minute, nah, ain't going to happen.  :S

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

[quote who="Philly0381" reply="7" id="3034857"][quote who="Uvah" reply="6" id="3034855"]

WOW!

Now maybe there will be straight talk between nations without all the "What did you mean?"type stuff. Something this world needs desperately!

Hmmm, lets think about that a minute, nah, ain't going to happen. 
End of quote

LOL.

They have real live translators, so that isn't the problem.

They understand all too well.

 

Three big exceptions which willl prove the undoing of this incredible technology:

1. Australia: Slang is incomprehensible even to Super Cray computers.

2. Zubaz - no texting allowed. Will break the computer.

3. RedneckDude: See 1, only for accent and grammar.

 

I've notified lexiphone in Israel to forget it.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The Tower of Babel. Never really pictured it the same way as Bruegel did. It is something I want to paint one day though.

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 8
They have real live translators, so that isn't the problem.

They understand all too well.
End of DrJBHL's quote

Yeah, it seems to be petty squabbling and leaders not getting their own way that causes the problems.

Quoting seanw3, reply 5
Well I am just glad it doesn't include Russian. I am kind of banking on translation as a career.
End of seanw3's quote

I was told that Russian is a hard language to learn, so bravo seanw3 if you can speak it :thumbsup: . I kind of wish I hadn't so offhandedly dismissed learning German when I was at school. It would be especially helpful given some of the Industrial music I listen to, lol.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Starcandy, reply 9
I was told that Russian is a hard language to learn
End of Starcandy's quote

How hard can it be? Kids do it all the time...

;)

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

We linguists measure language difficulty on a 1 to 5 scale relative to your native language. From English, Russian is a 3, Spanish is a 1, German is a 2, Mandarin is a 4 and Icelandic is a 5 for everyone but them.  :)

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Now I know why there are so few Icelanders....  ;)

 

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So instead we all learn Google Talk? They're into everything else. lol

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting seanw3, reply 11
Icelandic is a 5 for everyone but them
End of seanw3's quote

Well, there goes any chance of me learning what Bjork is singing about then. :grin:

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I can see it now, I'm in Paris, France (it could happen) and I use a translator to order a cup of coffee but because of a virus that has infected all translators I tell the waiter his mother is ugly and wears combat boots.  Ahhh, you say the won't happen, hmmmm.   :O

Of course I'm just joking and poking fun.  :sun:

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 15
because of a virus that has infected all translators
End of Philly0381's quote

.............  .I get soup with the flies already installed.  :-"

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top

I just want my babelfish!