JPH0589165A - Machine translation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the translated sentence of expression which a user desires and to reduce the labor of reediting by giving selection right as to what kind of processing a system is required to execute to the user when there is variation in an expression method. CONSTITUTION:A machine translation system translating the sentence of given first language into the sentence of second language by using knowledge information for translation-processing is provided with a translation expression designation control part 6 which controls a processing on the selection and designation of translated expression and controls the processing in a translation part 5 and a translated condition storage part 11. The translation part 5 can translate an original sentence in accordance with a condition which is set in the translated condition storage part 11. The processing which the system has to take is previously selected and designated among the variation as to the perfect form/progressive form of Japanese expression '...teiru/being...' in Japanese/English translation, the translated expression of '...sareta/has been...' and the translated expression of '...nadono/and the like...' and according to the selected processing, the translation processing is controlled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present technology relates to a machine translation system in which a user can input auxiliary information regarding a second language expression form.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, attention has been paid to a system for automatically machine-translating an input source text described in a first language into a second language by using a computer. This machine translation system basically divides the original sentence into predetermined processing units such as words (phrases) by performing morphological analysis / syntactic analysis, and searches the translation dictionary for each processing unit to find the corresponding translated word ( A phrase) or the like is found, and this is combined according to a predetermined translation generation rule to obtain the translation.

However, with respect to natural language, it is extremely difficult to surely obtain an appropriate translated sentence because the semantic analysis technique is not yet established. For this reason, conventionally, a plurality of translated sentence candidates obtained as a result of translation are presented to the user, and the translated sentence candidate selected / designated by the user as the most appropriate is output, but the user (operator) still There remains a need to re-edit into appropriate translations.

Now, let us consider an example in which the operator needs to reedit the Japanese-English translation. In this case, first, the grammatical system is greatly different between Japanese and English. A notable example is the treatment of "tense" and "phase".
In English, these can be regarded as grammatical categories, and in particular, "Ai" is treated syntactically.

On the other hand, in Japanese, these cannot be treated as grammatical categories, and they are lexically distinguished.
"Iru" as the main auxiliary verb to represent "tense" and "phase"
・ Although there are "ta", these do not add a unique "tense" or "phase" to the main verb, but the main verb itself can be classified in various ways from the viewpoint of "phase", and which kind of main verb The "tense" and "phase" of the entire verb phrase is determined by which auxiliary verb is added.

From the above, it can be said that the correspondence between English and Japanese is very poor regarding the "tense" and the "phase". Also, from the viewpoint of translation, it does not always mean that the Japanese completion phase should be translated as the English syntactic completion phase. Unmarked expressions are often sufficient depending on the context and words used. This also applies to the progressive phase.

In Japanese, even if it can be classified as a progressive phase,
Unmarked English expressions are often appropriate depending on the vocabulary. In many cases, sufficient information for such translation cannot be obtained from the original text. In this case, conventionally, the only option was to entrust the default processing prepared by the system.

Therefore, as a matter of course, it is often the case that the translated text is not appropriate, and it is impossible to judge the content of the document and change the content of the default value for each document.

As a next example, there is a variation of a translated expression such as "... etc.". Although various expressions can be considered in English so that the exemplary expressions are not uniform even in Japanese, in the past, in the past, only the selection of the translation was open to the user in the form of selecting the translation. But,
The selection of translation expressions that change the structure in the translated sentence without simply converting the translated words was not open.

For example, "-, such as-" is replaced by "-(-
-, etc.) ”. Therefore, the only way to make such a change was to re-edit the translated text. As a third example, the auxiliary verb“ (sa) let ”・
There is a variation of translation of Japanese causative expressions with "(sa) su" added. Even in English, there are verbs that lead causative expressions, so it is naturally possible to translate them using causative verbs, but that is added in the form with "(sa) sure" and "(sa) su" added. It may correspond to one transitive verb in English.

[0011] In that case, conventionally, the user has not been given an opportunity to select which translation method to select, and the system unilaterally performs one process. Therefore, re-editing was required unless the user's wishes were met.

[0012] As a fourth example, there is a variation of the translation means of a Japanese sahen noun (a noun that also functions as a verb if the ending "su" is added). For expressions such as "do" sa-hen noun "" and "execute" sa-hen noun "", the translation should also take the form of "verb + object (action noun)" or "" There are two possibilities of expressing only with the verb corresponding to "Sahen noun". However, in the past, this selection was left to the decision of the system and had to be reedited if it did not meet the user's wishes.

As a fifth example, when the English word of the translated word is an abbreviation and the word ends with a period ending with a number, is it generated with a space in between (for example:
(Fig.1), generate without space (example: Fig.1
) Is a choice. Although this fluctuates depending on the preference of the user, the conventional system can only perform one process unilaterally, and it is impossible to generate and separate according to the wish of the user. For this reason, there was no choice but to re-edit if it did not meet the wish.

Next, let us consider an example in which the operator needs to re-edit the data, and the Japanese is used as the second language. In languages that use alphabetic characters, such as English, the initials of the words that make up a noun phrase are taken, for example,
IMF and NATO are often used. When these occur in the original sentence, the translated words are "IMF" and "NATO" in the alphabet with the same form.
There is a choice between "International Monetary Fund" and "North Atlantic Treaty Organization".

In the case of this example, the acronyms are well known internationally, and therefore, "IM
There is almost no confusion even if "F" or "NATO" is used. However, when translating specialized technical documents, depending on the degree of knowledge of the user, it may be better to use the Japanese translation corresponding to the noun phrase expanded into a full spelling rather than using the acronym in the translation. Often help users understand.

On the contrary, if the user is an expert in the field, the translation using the acronym will be cleaner,
It's easy to read.

Regarding the fluctuation of the request for the translated text by the user, the conventional system cannot affect the processing at all, and the system sets a rule to determine what is within the range that can be judged according to the situation in one sentence. It was decided whether to generate a translation. As a matter of course,
Since the user cannot specify the processing contents for each document, it often becomes difficult to understand the translated text and it is necessary to re-edit the translated text.

[0018]

The machine translation system is a system for translating sentences into different languages, but the expression forms are often very different between different languages, and there are various variations in the expression form. is there. However, the conventional system cannot cope with such a situation.

That is, in the conventional system, a rule is provided to determine what kind of translated word is generated within a range that can be judged according to the situation in one sentence. Naturally, the user processes each document. Since the content could not be specified, the translated text was often difficult to understand and required re-editing.

As described above, according to the conventional device, the "tense" is used.
-In many cases, the output desired by the user was not output for the "phase" processing and other variations in the expression method, and it was often necessary to re-edit, resulting in poor translation efficiency.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is that the tense of the Japanese expressions "... iru" and "... made".
"Ai" processing method, Japanese expression "... etc ...." translation method, Japanese expression "... (sa) let", "... (sa)
Japanese translation of "su"
(And equivalent expressions), the method of expression when generating a number following an English translated word that has the form of an abbreviation that ends in a period, and the translation of the original word of an abbreviation such as an acronym. By giving the user the right to select what kind of processing should be performed on the system for variations in expression methods such as methods,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine translation system capable of obtaining a translation of an expression desired by a user and minimizing the amount of re-editing.

[0022]

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is constructed as follows. That is, in a machine translation system that translates a given sentence in a first language into a sentence in a second language using knowledge information for translation processing, firstly, a translation expression condition setting means for setting a condition for translation expression. And expression conversion means for converting a translated sentence into a translated expression according to the set conditions.

Secondly, when the descriptive expression "... i" in the Japanese original sentence represents the completion state, it is equivalent to the completion phase "... i" used for the expression in the second language. The desired translation content, when the descriptive expression "... iru" in the Japanese original text represents the progress status, the desired translation content corresponding to the progress phase "... iru" used for the expression in the second language, Japan The desired translation content equivalent to "... represented" used for translating the corresponding expression in the second language of the descriptive expression "... represented" in the word original sentence,
For the descriptive expression "... etc ...." in the Japanese original sentence and other descriptive expressions corresponding to this, the desired example expression translation content used for translating the corresponding expression in the second language, Causative expression "... (sa) suru" / "... (sa) su" The desired translation content corresponding to the causative expression used for translating the corresponding expression in the second language in the second language. A translation expression condition setting means for setting at least one of the desired translation contents to be used for translating the corresponding expression in the second language for the descriptive expression consisting of a "transitive verb", and the translation expression according to the set conditions. And an expression conversion means for converting the corresponding part in the translated sentence.

Thirdly, in a machine translation system in which a mother tongue is the first language, a foreign language is the second language, and a given sentence in the first language is translated into a sentence in the second language, the ending is a period. A translation expression condition setting means for setting the abbreviation / numeral connection condition as a translation condition to determine whether or not to add a space between words when generating a number following a translation having an abbreviation ending in It comprises an expression conversion means for converting the corresponding part in the translated sentence into a translated expression according to the specified condition.

Fourth, a foreign language is used as a first language, a native language is used as a second language, and a given sentence in the first language is written in the second language using knowledge information for translation processing. In the machine translation system that translates to, the abbreviation word in the original text in the first language is abbreviated in the same form as the original word, or consists of the native language character string corresponding to the abbreviation converted to full spelling The translation expression condition setting means for selectively setting whether to convert to a translated word and the expression conversion means for converting the corresponding portion in the translated sentence into the translated expression according to the set conditions.

[0026]

In this structure, when the translation expression condition is set in the first structure and the original sentence (text in the first language) to be translated is given, the machine translation system converts the original sentence into the second language. The translated sentence is generated by translation, and the expression conversion unit performs conversion processing on the translated sentence into a translated expression according to the set translated expression condition.

Further, in the case of the second configuration, the translation expression condition setting means sets the translation expression condition setting when the Japanese expression "... iru" indicates the completion phase, that is, the Japanese expression "... iru". How to translate when expressing the progress phase, how to translate the Japanese expression "... iru", how to translate the Japanese expression "... and ...", Japanese expression "... (sa) seru", "... (sa)""(Casual expression)
It is possible to set the desired translation method for the Japanese expression "Do" Sahen noun "" (and its equivalent). Therefore, these settings can be used to translate the translated text with the translation content specified by the user. Can be obtained.

Further, in the case of the third configuration, when the native language is the first language and the foreign language is the second language, for example, in the translation in which the first language is English and the second language is Japanese, , It is possible to make detailed settings such as the method of translating original words with abbreviations such as acronyms,
As a result, a translation in a desired form can be generated.

Further, in the case of the fourth configuration, when a foreign language is used as a first language and a native language is used as a second language, and a given sentence in the first language is translated into a sentence in the second language, the original sentence in the first language is translated. By selecting and setting the abbreviation word in it as an abbreviation in the same form as the original word, or converting it to a translation consisting of the native language character string corresponding to the abbreviation converted to full spelling, the It can be translated in a set form.

Therefore, the translated sentence of the expression desired by the translator can be generated, so that the portion that needs to be re-edited with respect to the translation result can be significantly reduced, and the translation work efficiency can be greatly improved.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a machine translation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, this system is operated by
A keyboard 1 as an operating unit of the computer, an original sentence storage unit 2 for storing an original sentence input from the keyboard 1 or an input unit such as a communication device (not shown), a translated sentence storage unit 3 for storing a translated sentence, and overall control of the system. An editing control unit 4, a translation unit 5 that executes a translation process, a translation expression designation control unit 6 that controls a process relating to selection / designation of a translation expression, and controls the process in the translation unit 5, knowledge information used for the translation process. A translation dictionary 7 that accommodates a sentence, a display control unit 8 that controls the display of original and translated sentences, a display unit 9, and a printing unit 10 that prints out the original and translated sentences as a hard copy. There is.

Further, in the present embodiment, a translation condition storage section 11 is further provided so that the keyboard 1 and the display section 9 can set the conditions as appropriate. Then, the translation unit 5 is capable of translating the original sentence according to the conditions set in the translation condition storage unit 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 1 has a character key 12 for inputting an original sentence such as Japanese or English, a translation instruction key 13 for translation instruction, a document deletion and connection on its operation surface. Editing keys 14 to 19 for issuing commands such as
Function key 20 to activate various functions such as translation display
... 27, a cursor movement key 28 for general cursor operation, and other cursor control keys 29, 30, 31, ... For cursor control.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the layout of the screen 9A of the display unit 9. As shown in the figure, the input original text is displayed in the original text display area A1 on the left side of the screen. The translated text obtained as a result of the translation processing is displayed in the translated text display area A2 on the right side of the screen at a position corresponding to the original text. In addition, an edit area A3 for displaying information necessary for various edits at the top of the screen.
Is provided.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the dialogue translation process centered on the edit control unit 4. In the interactive translation process, an operator can appropriately edit the translated text corresponding to the input of the original text.

The operation of the editing control section 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, the editing control section 4 monitors whether there is any key input from the keyboard 1 or whether a translation completion signal is received from the translation section 5. (Steps S401-S
405), if there is any key input from the keyboard 1, the corresponding process is performed.

The operator operates the function key 2 on the keyboard 1.
When any one of 0 to 27 is operated, this is detected (step S405), and the process corresponding to the function key is performed (step S406).

When the operator operates any of the edit keys 14 to 19 on the keyboard 1, the edit control unit 4 detects this (step S404) and performs the process corresponding to the edit key (step S407). ).

When the operator operates the cursor key 28 or another control key, the process of step S408 is executed to perform a process for moving the cursor corresponding to the key operation and other processes.

When the operator operates the character keys 12 on the keyboard 1 to input, for example, a Japanese sentence as an original sentence, after the key-in of each character key 12 is detected (step S403), the corresponding character code is sequentially edited and controlled. It is set in an input buffer (not shown) in the unit 4 (step S
409). This input original sentence is displayed in the original sentence display area A1 of the display unit 9 via the display control unit 8 (step S41).
0).

When the operator finishes inputting a sentence at any time, for example, the translation instruction key 1 on the keyboard 1
When key 3 is pressed, this key is detected (step S40
2), the edit control unit 4 supplies the original sentence in the input buffer to the translation unit 5 and instructs the translation unit 5 to start the translation process (step S411).

When input editing such as correction / insertion / deletion is required in the middle of inputting the original text, the cursor key 28 on the keyboard 1 is operated to move the cursor to a desired editing position, and then the insertion key 14 is deleted. This can be done using edit keys such as key 15. Of course, the original text in the input buffer can be stored in the original text storage unit 2. When the translation completion signal is detected by the translation unit 5 in the process of step S401, the edit control unit 4 proceeds to step S412, and causes the display control unit 8 to display the translated sentence candidate and the auxiliary information obtained from the translation unit 5 to display the translated sentence.

Further, the display control unit 8 displays the translated sentence candidate in a position corresponding to the input original sentence in the translated sentence display area A2, and when the auxiliary information is present, the translated word is displayed in high brightness or inverted or in color. The operator can identify the fact by highlighting it with the like.

From this state, if the edit keys 14 to 19 on the keyboard 1 are pressed, the edit control unit 4 detects this (step S404), and at this time, with respect to the word or phrase pointed by the cursor, Edit processing corresponding to each key is performed (step S407).

In the editing process, for example, by operating the insert key 14, a character is inserted before the cursor position. By operating the delete key 15, the character string in the range indicated by the cursor is deleted. By operating the move key 16, the range designated by the cursor is moved.

To cancel the effect of the keys 14, 15 and 16, the cancel key 17 may be operated. Furthermore, when it is desired to display other dependency candidates for the word pointed by the cursor using the auxiliary information, the dependency key 18 may be operated.

Further, by the function keys on the keyboard 1,
The following functions can be realized. For example, by operating the translated word display key 20, the translated word can be displayed for the word in the translated sentence, and by operating the dictionary display key 21, the dictionary can be displayed for the word in the original sentence. Also, by operating the dictionary registration key 22, new words and idioms can be registered, and the dictionary deletion key 2
By the operation of 3, it is possible to delete the words / idioms registered by the dictionary registration.

Further, when the translation fails, the partial translation key 24 can be operated to display the partial translation.

As the cursor keys, a cursor moving key 28 for moving the cursor in each direction, a unit switching key 29 for switching the unit in which the cursor moves,
There is an inter-area movement key 30 for moving the cursor between the respective display areas, and an enlargement / reduction key 31 for reducing the size of the cursor in character units or in word units. , The unit in which the cursor moves can be switched, the cursor can be moved between the display areas, and the size of the cursor can be reduced in character units or enlarged in word units.

Therefore, the operator can interactively obtain the translated sentence while inputting the original sentence and appropriately editing the translated sentence.

In the system configured as described above, in this example, for example, in Japanese-English translation, the processing methods for the Japanese expressions "... taru" and "... taru" for "tense" and "phase", Japanese How to translate the word expression "... etc ...", how to translate the Japanese expressions "... (sa) suru" and "... (sa) su", and the Japanese expression "do" sahen noun "" (and the equivalent) Expression), the method of expressing when an English translated word that has the form of an abbreviation ending in a period is followed by a number, and in English-Japanese translation, it has the form of an abbreviation such as an acronym. Regarding the method of translating an English word, the system is configured to select and specify a process to be performed by the system from among variations, and control the translation process accordingly.

That is, in the machine translation system of the present embodiment, selection and designation of various translated expressions for each of the translated expression methods described above are performed prior to starting the translation of a document, and then the translation procedure is performed.

FIG. 5 shows the condition setting screen 9B of the translation method in the case where the Japanese expression "... Iru" represents the completion phase, and FIG.
Shows the condition setting screen 9C of the translation method when the Japanese expression “... iru” represents the progress phase, and FIG. 7 shows the Japanese expression “...
8D, the condition setting screen 9D for the translation method
Shows the condition setting screen 9E for the translation method of the Japanese expression “... etc.”, And FIG. 9 shows the Japanese expression “... (sa)”.
The condition setting screen 9F for the translation method of "... (sa) su", and FIG. 10 is the condition setting screen 9G for the translation method of the Japanese expression "Do" Sahen noun "" (and expressions equivalent thereto).
FIG. 11 shows a condition setting screen 9H of an expression method when a number is added to an English translated word having an abbreviation whose ending is a period, and FIG. 12 shows an acronym. Each of the condition setting screens 9I regarding the method of translating a word having an abbreviation form is shown.

Before the translation by the translation unit 5 is started,
The edit control unit 4 displays the respective condition setting screens on the display unit 9 in order via the display control unit 8, prompts the operator to set the conditions, and the operator selects and sets the conditions from the keyboard 1 according to this display screen. Thus, it is possible to select and specify the process to be performed by the system from these variations, and the edit control unit 4 is configured to control the translation process according to the setting conditions.

That is, in the machine translation system according to the present embodiment, selection and designation of various translated expressions for each of the translated expression methods described above are performed prior to starting the translation of a document, and then the translation procedure is performed.

Therefore, when the user (operator) designates a document to be translated, the translation expression designation control unit 6 prompts the display unit 9 to designate the document via the edit control unit 4 and the display control unit 8. Screens 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E,
9F, 9G, 9H, 9I can be displayed in sequence or can be displayed in sequence.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, the translation method when the Japanese expression "... iru" represents the completion phase, and the translation method when the Japanese expression "... iru" represents the progressive phase. Method, Japanese expression “… was done” translation method, Japanese expression “… Tono…” translation method, Japanese expression “… (sa) su” / “… (sa) su” (causative expression) How to translate, how to translate the Japanese expression “Sahen noun” + do (and its equivalent), and the English translation that has the form of an abbreviation ending in a period, followed by a number A condition setting input screen that prompts the user to select and specify a process desired to be set in the system from variations of the expression method and the translation method of an English word having an abbreviation such as an acronym is sequentially displayed.

When there is a user's designation input from the keyboard 1, the contents are once passed to the translation expression designation control unit 6 via the edit control unit 4, and the translation expression designation control unit 6
Accepts this specified content as a setting condition, and passes the setting condition information corresponding to this setting condition to the translation unit 5.

In this example, a condition storage unit 11 for storing various conditions is provided, and each memory area 11a, 11b, 11c, 11 in the condition storage unit 11 is provided.
In d, 11e, 11f, 11g, and 11h, (1) When Japanese is the first language, when the expression "... iru" in the Japanese original sentence indicates the completion state, the second language The translation condition for the completion phase “… Are” of how to express.

(2) In the case where Japanese is the first language, when the expression "... iru" in the Japanese original sentence indicates the progress state, the progress of how to express in the second language The translation condition for the phase "... is".

(3) When Japanese is the first language, "... dated" translation condition of how to express the expression "... dated" in the Japanese original sentence in the second language.

(4) In the case where Japanese is the first language, how to express the expression "or the like" (or its equivalent) in the Japanese original sentence in the second language Example expression translation condition.

(5) When Japanese is the first language, "... (sa) seru" and "... (sa) su" in the original Japanese sentence
The causative expression translation condition of how to express the causative expression in the second language.

(6) In the case where Japanese is the first language, in addition to the expression "perform" Sahen noun "" in the Japanese original sentence (or the equivalent expression "perform", "perform""Give","Give","Eggplant","Perform", etc.) in the second language.

(7) When English is used as the second language, a space is provided between words when a translated word having a form of an abbreviation ending in a period is followed by a numeral, or Abbreviations and numeric connection conditions such as if they are not accompanied.

(8) When English is the first language and Japanese is the second language, there is a word in the original English sentence that has an abbreviation form, and the corresponding translation word is an abbreviation of the same form as the language. A translation selection condition for an abbreviation, such as which format to generate, from the translation and the translation consisting of the Japanese character string corresponding to the full-spelling of the abbreviation. The memory areas 11a to 11h in the condition storage section 11 can be set and stored, and in addition to the setting screen information of various setting conditions as described above, the conditions input by the operator on each condition setting input screen can be set. Can be registered.

Under the control of the editing control section 4, these memory areas 11a to 11a in the condition storage section 11 are controlled.
5 to 12 can be displayed on the display unit 9 according to the stored contents of h, and setting of conditions can be registered in the condition storage unit 11 by causing the operator to select with the keyboard 1 according to the contents of the screen. Together with the translation expression designation control unit 6
In addition, the default contents can be set.

Therefore, by using this, the conditions already set can be used as they are, and thus the labor of setting each translation can be omitted.

When the setting mode is finished, the editing control section 4 controls to shift to the translation process. FIG. 13 shows the translation unit 5.
3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in FIG. Explaining the processing of the translation unit 5 according to this flowchart,
In the translation process in the translation unit 5, first, step S130.
1. Perform the morphological analysis of 1. In this morphological analysis, the input original sentence is converted into the original form (basic form) by using the translation / change dictionary 7a of the translation dictionary unit 7 and changing the word ending.
Convert to.

Next, the processing proceeds to the dictionary search processing in step S1302. In this dictionary search, the word / idiom dictionary 7b of the translation dictionary unit 7 is searched for each word constituting the input original sentence, and information such as the part of speech and the translated word is obtained.

Next, the process proceeds to the analysis control of step S1303. Here, the process of sending the information such as the part of speech of the words and idioms constituting the input sentence, which is obtained as a result of the dictionary search process of step S1302, to the syntactic analysis part. To do.

Next, the process goes to the syntax analysis process in step S1304. In this parsing process, the structure of the original sentence is analyzed using the analysis grammar 7c of the translation dictionary unit 7, and the conceptual structure of the original sentence is generated. In step S1305, it is determined whether or not the analysis is successful, and if the analysis fails, the process returns to the analysis control of step S1303 via step S1305.

When the analysis is completed successfully, next step S1
The process shifts to the structure conversion of 306. In the structure conversion processing, the conversion grammar 7d of the translation dictionary unit 7 is used to convert the concept structure of the first language into the concept structure of the second language.

In the structure conversion process, in the case of translation using Japanese as the first language, the translation unit 5 performs the structure conversion process in accordance with the user-specified condition given by the translation expression specification control unit 6. That is, from the content translation expression designation control unit 6, the translation method when the Japanese expression "... iru" represents the completion phase, the translation method when the Japanese expression "... iru" represents the progression phase, and the Japanese expression. How to translate "... Iru", how to translate Japanese expression "... and ...", how to translate Japanese expressions "... (sa) su" and "... (sa) su" (causative expression), Japanese The user-specified content for the translation method of the expression "Do" sahen noun "" (and its equivalent) is also an acronym for a translation in which English is the first language and Japanese is the second language. If the user-specified contents regarding the method of translating an English word having the form of an abbreviation such as is sent, the translation unit 5 performs the structural conversion / translation word determination processing according to the specification.

When the structure conversion / translation word determination processing in step S1306 ends, the translation unit 5 determines the processing result (step S1307), and if rejected, returns to the syntax analysis in step S1304 and repeats the processing.

When the structure conversion / translation word determination process is completed successfully, the process moves to the syntax generation process in step S1308.
In this syntax generation processing, the word order of the surface sentence of the second language is determined from the conceptual structure of the second language according to the generation grammar 7e of the translation dictionary unit 7, and converted into a word string.

Here, the translation expression designation control unit 6 gives the content designated by the user about the expression method when an English translated word having an abbreviation ending in a period is generated by following a number. Controls the generation of spaces between the abbreviation and the number, as specified.

Next, the translation unit 5 moves to the processing of morpheme generation in step S1309. In this morpheme generation process, the morpheme generation grammar 7f of the translation dictionary unit 7 is used to change the word form of the word and the like to complete the translated sentence.

In this way, using the information of the translation dictionary unit 7, and performing the translation according to the default value of the translation expression designation control unit 6 or the set condition, the translated sentence of the translation expression matching the specified condition is obtained. To generate. And the translation unit 5
Is output to the edit control unit 4, is temporarily stored therein, and is also stored in a temporary storage file (temporary file) in the translated sentence storage unit 3.
It is displayed on the display unit 9 via the display control unit 8 and is also stored as a file in the translated sentence storage unit 3 in response to a command from the operator. Further, in response to a command from the operator, the editing control section 4 is also output to the printing section 10 for printing.

When the above-described processing is completed for all the original sentences to be translated, the state returns to the command waiting state.

As described above, since various translated expressions can be designated in advance according to the document, the translated sentence of the expression desired by the translator can be generated. The parts that have to be edited can be greatly reduced, and the efficiency of translation work can be greatly improved.

As described above, the machine translation system translates the given sentence in the first language into the sentence in the second language, and the translation expression condition setting means for setting the conditions for the translation expression, and this setting. Expression conversion means for converting a translated sentence into a translated expression according to the specified conditions is provided.

When the translation expression condition is set and the original sentence (text in the first language) to be translated is given, the machine translation system translates the original sentence into the second language to generate a translated sentence, and further The expression conversion means converts the translated sentence into a translated expression according to the set translated expression condition.

The translation expression condition setting is a translation method when the Japanese expression “... iru” represents the completion phase, a translation method when the Japanese expression “... iru” represents the progression phase, and a Japanese expression “... Translation method of Japanese expression "... and ...", Japanese expression "... (sa) suru", "... (sa) su" (causative expression), Japanese expression " The content specified by the user regarding the translation method of "Do" Sahen noun "" (and expressions equivalent thereto) is also used in the translation in which English is the first language and Japanese is the second language. It is possible to make detailed settings such as a method of translating an English word having an abbreviation form, so that a translation in a desired form can be generated.

Therefore, since the translated sentence of the expression desired by the translator can be generated, the portion that needs to be re-edited with respect to the translation result can be greatly reduced, and the translation work efficiency can be greatly improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented by being modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Of course, the options presented to the user may be other than those listed in the above embodiments.

Before starting the translation, the condition setting screens are sequentially displayed on the display unit to prompt the operator to set the conditions, and the operator selects and sets the conditions from the keyboard according to the display screen. Although it was made possible to select and specify the processing that the system should take from these variations, prepare a condition setting file that records the condition setting contents in advance, specify this condition setting file and specify the conditions according to the contents. It is also possible to proceed with the translation. In this case, the edit control unit may be configured to read the contents of the specified condition setting file and control the translation process according to the setting conditions.

Furthermore, although the present invention has been described by taking the Japanese-English translation as an example, it is naturally applicable to other languages.

[0090]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
The user can select and specify the desired translated expression for each item prepared by the system according to the type of document to be translated, and the desired expression format can be selected without re-editing. It is possible to provide a machine translation system capable of obtaining a translation result.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a machine translation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a keyboard arrangement of the system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a layout of an interactive screen on the display unit of the system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of an edit control unit of the above system.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that prompts the user to select and specify a translation method when the Japanese expression “... Iru” represents a completion phase.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that prompts the user to select and specify a translation method when the Japanese expression “... Iru” represents a progress phase.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that prompts the user to select and specify a translation method for the Japanese expression “...

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that prompts the user to select and specify a translation method for the Japanese expression “... etc ...”.

[Fig. 9] Japanese expressions "... (sa) su" and "... (sa) su"
Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen which urges the selection and specification of the translation method of (causative expression).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that prompts the user to select and specify a translation method for the Japanese expression “Do“ Sahen noun ”” (and expressions equivalent thereto) ”.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for prompting selection and designation of an expression method when an English translated word having a form of an abbreviation ending in a period is followed by a numeral and generated.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen prompting selection and designation of a translation method of a word having an abbreviation form such as an acronym.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the translation unit of the above system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Keyboard, 2 ... Original sentence storage unit, 3 ... Translated sentence storage unit, 4
... edit control unit, 5 ... translation unit, 6 ... translation expression designation control unit,
7 ... translation dictionary part, 7a ... utilization, change dictionary, 7b ... word,
Idiom dictionary, 7c ... analysis grammar, 7d ... conversion grammar, 7e ... generation grammar, 7f ... morpheme generation grammar, 8 ... display control unit, 9 ...
Display unit, 10 ... Printing unit, 11 ... Condition storage unit, 11a ... Complete phase "... Yes" translation condition memory area, 11b ... Progressive phase "... Yes" translation condition memory area, 11c ...
"... done" translation condition memory area, 11d ... exemplary expression translation condition memory area, 11e ... causative expression translation condition memory area, 11f ... sahen noun translation condition memory area, 11g ... abbreviated / numeral connection rule condition Memory area,
11h ... Memory area for abbreviation translation selection conditions.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mariko Kimura 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Stock company Toshiba Research Institute

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A translation expression condition setting means for setting a condition for a translation expression in a machine translation system for translating a given sentence in a first language into a sentence in a second language using knowledge information for translation processing. A machine translation system characterized by comprising expression conversion means for converting a translated sentence into a translated expression according to the set conditions. 2. A machine translation system that uses Japanese as a first language and translates a given sentence in a first language into a sentence in a second language using knowledge information for translation processing. When the descriptive expression "... iru" of represents the completion state, the desired first translation content corresponding to the completion phase "... iru" used in the expression in the second language is used. When the descriptive expression "... i" represents the progress state, the progression phase "... i" used in the expression in the second language
Corresponding desired second translation content, "... replaced" corresponding desired third translation content used for translating the corresponding expression in the second language of the descriptive expression "... described" in the Japanese original sentence, Japan For the descriptive expression such as “... etc.” in the original word sentence and other descriptive expressions corresponding to this, the desired translated content of the exemplary expression used for translating the corresponding expression in the second language, and the causative function in the Japanese original sentence The desired fourth translation content corresponding to the causative expression used to translate the descriptive expression "... (sa) suru" and "... (sa) suru" into the corresponding expression in the second language. Noun +
Translation expression condition setting means for setting at least one of the desired fifth translation contents used for translation of the corresponding expression in the second language for the descriptive expression consisting of "transverb", and the set condition A machine translation system, characterized in that the translation expression is provided with expression conversion means for converting the corresponding part in the translated sentence. 3. A machine for translating a given sentence in a first language into a sentence in a second language using knowledge information for translation processing, while using a native language as a first language and a foreign language as a second language. In the translation system, a translation expression that sets an abbreviation / numerical connection condition as a translation condition to determine whether or not to add a space between words when generating a translated word with an abbreviation ending in a period and a number following it. A machine translation system comprising a condition setting means and an expression converting means for converting a corresponding expression in a translated expression into a translated expression according to the set condition. 4. A machine for translating a given sentence in a first language into a sentence in a second language using knowledge information for translation processing, while using a foreign language as a first language and a native language as a second language. In the translation system, the abbreviation word in the original text in the first language is converted into the abbreviation in the same form as the original word, or converted into the translated word consisting of the native language character string corresponding to the abbreviation converted into full spelling A machine translation system, comprising: a translated expression condition setting means for selectively setting whether or not, and an expression conversion means for converting a corresponding portion in a translated sentence into a translated expression according to the set conditions.