Abstract:
A consecutive, simultaneous translation method and system for use in courtroom and other settings to permit accurate and discrete translation from a source language to a target language. In its most basic form, the method involves providing a translator with a record/playback device, so that the translator can record words spoken in a source language, allow time for, for example, an objection and ruling, and play back the recorded words in the source language and translate those into the target language in a simultaneous manner. Other features include earphones for the translator to afford greater discretion and accuracy, slow playback capabilities, and other enhancements.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to the field of translation and more particularly, to a method and system for consecutive yet simultaneous translation of words spoken in a source language to a target language. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Oral translation of conversation, statements, questions, etc. involves the translation of words spoken in a source language to words spoken in a target language. Generally, oral translation can take two forms. The most accurate method involves the simultaneous translation from the source language to the target language, which involves the translator translating the speaker&#39;s words as they are spoken and beginning before the speaker has finished talking. This method is most accurate for the obvious reason that the burden on the translator to memorize what the speaker has said is greatly alleviated by translating before the speaker has even finished talking. 
   A second method is a consecutive translation, in which the translator waits for the speaker to completely finish before commencing translation. However, an obvious problem with this method is that, particularly where the speaker has made a long statement, the translator may have difficult remembering precisely what the speaker has stated, and may omit certain words or otherwise mis-translate. 
   The distinctions between the two methods come into stark focus in, for example, a courtroom setting. In such a setting, accuracy in translation is particularly important. This would tend to argue in favor of using a simultaneous translation method. However, some courtrooms prohibit simultaneous translation for at least those portions of the proceedings in which a witness is being examined by counsel, instead requiring that before the translator can translate the examining attorneys&#39; words, the translator must first wait sufficient time for opposing counsel to make an objection and, if an objection has been made, for the court to rule on the objection. While this method avoids the need to translate a question that may been ruled improper and thus one that the witness may not be compelled to answer, there is a danger that a relatively significant amount of time can pass between the asking of the question and the actual translation, leading potentially to an inaccurate translation. 
   A need therefore existed for permitting simultaneous translation, on the one hand, while at the same time providing the pause necessary to allow for an objection/ruling on the other. The present invention satisfies this need and provides other related advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for consecutive, simultaneous translation from a source language to a target language. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a translation method and system permitting consecutive, simultaneous translation from a source language to a target language in a discrete, non-disruptive manner. 
   A still further object of the present invention is to provide a translation method and system permitting consecutive, simultaneous translation from a source language to a target language where the translation needs to be broadcast over a telephone line. 
   The present invention, in one embodiment, consists of equipping the translator with a recording/playback device and a set of headphones. When the questioner speaks in the source language, the translator records the question. After waiting for the objection/ruling, the translator plays back the question, through the headphones, and simultaneously translates the question into the target language. The recording device is preferably digital, so that there will be no need to rewind. The method and system preferably further include one or more remote microphones for participants to speak into, which microphones would be linked to the recording/playback device. The method could further include headphones for one or more of the speakers, to enable them to more clearly hear the translator when he or she speaks. 
   The method and system provide the combined benefits of the accuracy of simultaneous translation and the delay for objections of consecutive translation—together with an additional benefit. Because the translator will hear the statement to be translated twice—once when spoken live and the second time when played back on the recording device—the translator can begin to work on the translation after hearing the statement spoken the first time and while waiting for the play back, resulting in a more accurate translation. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with the present invention, a method for simultaneously translating from a source language to a target language is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a recording device capable of recording words spoken in a source language; wherein the recording device further comprises means for playing back the words spoken in the source language; speaking the words in the source language; recording the words in the source language in the recording device; playing back the words in the source language; and simultaneously translating the words in the source language into a target language. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a translation system is disclosed. The system comprises, in combination: a digital recording and playback device; earphones coupled to the recording and playback device; and at least one microphone remote from the recording and playback device wherein the microphone is in one of wire and wire-free communication with the recording and playback device. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system employed in the translation method of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system employed in the translation method of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the system employed in the translation method of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the system employed in the translation method of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the translation system  10  (hereinafter “system  10 ”) of the present invention is shown. The system  10 , in this embodiment, includes a recording device  12 . Preferably, the recording device  12  is digital, to permit substantially instant replaying of recorded material without the need for rewinding. The recording device  12  preferably has a plurality of individual recording activators (R 1 –R 4 )  14 , and a plurality of playback activators (P 1 –P 4 )  16 , corresponding to the individual recording activators  14  as indicated by the number suffixes shown in  FIG. 1 . The system  10  further includes, preferably, a plurality of microphones (T 1 –T 4 )  18 , corresponding to the recording activators  14  and the playback activators  16  as indicated by the number suffixes. The microphones  18  are preferably in wireless communication with the recording device  12 , although wire communication is also possible. Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the system  10  further preferably includes earphones  20  coupled to the recording device  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the placement of the system  10  of  FIG. 1  for use in a courtroom setting is shown. The recording device  12  is in the possession of a translator  22 , who will be responsible for activating the recording device  12  as appropriate. The microphones  18  are positioned throughout the courtroom, with one at a prosecutor&#39;s table  24 , one at a defendant&#39;s table  26 , one at a witness stand  28 , and one at a judge&#39;s bench  30 . Of course, while the use of the system  10  is shown in a courtroom setting, this is exemplary only. The system  10  may be used in any setting requiring translation, including for example business meetings, diplomatic meetings or gatherings, and educational gatherings. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the system  10  is shown, referred to herein as the system  100 . The system  100  includes a recording device  120  and remote microphones/receivers  180 . Referring now to the recording device  120 , it preferably includes the following features: a recording activator  140 , a recording light indicator  150 , a playback activator  160 , earphones  165 , a pause activator  170  to pause either the playing back of a recorded statement or the recording of a statement (for example where the statement to be recorded is interrupted), a slow playback activator  190  to slow the speed at which a recorded statement is played back, a hand microphone  210 , a built-in microphone  220 , a volume control  240 , a rewind activator  260  for rewinding a recorded statement, a forward activator  280  for fast-forwarding through a recorded statement, a receiver  300  for receiving wireless transmissions from the remote microphones/receivers  180 , and a transmitter  310  for making wireless transmissions to the microphones/receivers  180 . Each microphone/receiver  180  comprises a transmitter  320  for making wireless transmissions to the receiver  300 , a receiver  330  for receiving wireless transmission from the transmitter  310 , a hand microphone  340 , and a built-in microphone  350 . Preferably, one or more of the microphones/receivers  180  further includes earphones  360  so that a person using the microphone/receiver  180  may hear more effectively transmissions originating from the transmitter  310 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the system  10  is shown, referred to herein as the system  400 . The system  400  includes a recording device  420  and remote microphones/receivers  480 . Referring now to the recording device  420 , it preferably includes the following features: a plurality of recording/playback activators  430 , a plurality of individual volume controls  435  corresponding to each of the recording/playback activators  430 , a lighted master record activator  440 , a master playback activator  450 , a fast forward activator  460  for fast-forwarding through a recorded statement, a rewind activator  470  for rewinding a recorded statement, a pause activator  480  to pause the either the playing back of a recorded statement or the recording of a statement, a slow playback activator  490  to slow the speed at which a recorded statement is played back, a hand microphone  500 , a built-in microphone  510 , a master volume control  520 , a receiver  530  for receiving wireless transmissions from the remote microphones/receivers  480 , a transmitter  540  for making wireless transmissions to the microphones/receivers  480 , and earphones  515 . The recording device  420  preferably further comprises a telephone input  600  for receiving a first telephone cord (not shown) from a wall telephone jack and a telephone output  610  for receiving a second telephone cord (not shown) to a telephone base (not shown). Each microphone/receiver  480  comprises a transmitter  550  for making wireless transmissions to the receiver  530 , a receiver  560  for receiving wireless transmission from the transmitter  540 , and a built-in microphone  570 . Preferably, one or more of the microphones/receivers  480  further includes earphones  580  so that a person using the microphone/receiver  480  may hear more effectively transmissions originating from the transmitter  540 . 
   STATEMENT OF OPERATION 
   The basic operation of the systems  10 ,  100  and  400  is substantially similar, and the basic operation will therefore be described of all three systems—introducing differences as appropriate. In use, a translator  22  will control the recording device  12 ,  120 , or  420 . A first person, for example a prosecuting attorney, will speak in the source language into a microphone  18  (or a hand microphone  340 , or a built-in microphone  350  or  570 ). The first person&#39;s words will be transmitted, if using the system  10 , through wires or in a wireless manner—depending on how configured—from the microphone  18  to the recording device  12 . If using the system  100 , the first person&#39;s words will be transmitted from the transmitter  320  of the microphone/receiver  180  to the receiver  300  of the recording device  120 . If using the system  400 , the first person&#39;s words will be transmitted from the transmitter  550  of the microphone/receiver  480  to the receiver  530  of the recording device  420 . 
   The translator  22  will record the first person&#39;s words in the recording device  12 ,  120 , or  420 . A translator  22  using the recording device  12  can record by depressing the appropriate individual recording activator  14  corresponding to the particular microphone  18  used by the speaker—one time to initiate recording and a second time to terminate recording. A translator  22  using the recording device  120  can record by depressing the recording activator  140 —one time to initiate recording and a second time to terminate recording. A translator  22  using the recording device  420  can record by depressing the recording/playback activator  430  corresponding to the particular microphone/receiver  480  used by the speaker—one time to initiate recording and a second time to terminate recording. (Instead of toggling the recording on and off in this manner, a stop activator can be provided to terminate recording.) 
   When the translator  22  is prepared to translate for the first speaker&#39;s words—for example, after waiting for any objection to the first speaker&#39;s statement and any ruling on such an objection—the translator  22  will play back the first person&#39;s recorded words and simultaneously translate them into the target language. To play back, a translator  22  using the system  10  will depress the appropriate individual playback activator  16 , corresponding to the particular individual recording activator  14  used—or will depress the master playback activator  17 . A translator  22  using the system  100  will depress the playback activator  160 . A translator  22  using the system  400  will re-depress the appropriate recording/playback activator  430 . If the first person speaks in a particularly fast or unclear manner, or simply in the interest of ensuring accuracy, the translator  22  may wish to play his or her words back in a slower manner, by using the slow playback activator  190  or  490 . If necessary, for example in the event of an interruption, the translator  22  may pause the playback (or recording) by depressing the pause activator  170  or  480  to pause the playing back (or recording) of a recorded statement. During playback, the translator  22  may as necessary rewind the recorded words by using the rewind activator  260  or  470 , or fast-forward the recorded words by using the forward activator  280  or  460 . 
   When the first person&#39;s words are played back by the translator  22 , the translator  22  can listen to those words in a manner that is non-disruptive to others (and indeed in a manner that is not apparent to others) present in the translation setting by using earphones  20 ,  165 , or  515 , depending on the particular system used. As the translator  22  listens to the first person&#39;s recorded words, he will simultaneously translate those words into the target language. In the embodiments of systems  100  and  400 , the translator  22 &#39;s spoken translation may be transmitted (using the transmitter  310  or  540  depending on the particular system) to the microphone/receiver  180  or  480 , where that translation may itself be listened to in a discrete and effective manner using earphones  360  or  580 . 
   It is sometimes necessary to conduct a translation telephonically, with, for example, a person speaking in the source language over the telephone to the translator  22  and with the translator  22  then translating those words into the target language and transmitting the translation over the telephone. In such instances, a telephone cord from a wall telephone jack will be inserted into a telephone input  600 , and a telephone cord coupled to a telephone base will be inserted into a telephone output  610 . When the person whose words are to be translated speaks over the telephone line, the transmission passes through the recording device  420  and is recorded, played back, and translated in the manner described above with respect to an in-person translation. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to particularly preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, while each of the systems  10 ,  100  and  400  incorporate a plurality of preferred features intended to promote efficient use of the disclosed translation method, an extremely basic system including nothing more than a recording/playback device controlled by the translator and capable of recording words spoken in the source language for playing back by the translator for simultaneous translation—including even a tape-type recorder—would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. While a digital recorder would be preferred over a tape-type recorder for, among other things, its ability to instantly play back without the need to first rewind, and while headphones for the translator are preferred for their ability to make the entire process essentially undetectable to an observer, these and the other enhanced features additional to the basic system are not regarded as essential to the operation of the basic translation method and system claimed herein.