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/
