JPH08171567A - Language converting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an interpreting device which enables an operator to efficiently select an example sentence even when the number of example sentences registered in the device is large. CONSTITUTION: The examples consisting of original sentences and its translations on the opposite page (hereafter, called as a translation example sentence) are stored in a translation data base 1 while classified by plural scenes and plural classification modes. A retrieval device 4 retrieves a translation example sentence in the translation sentence data base 1 on the basis of a classification mode set in a classification mode holding device 2 and an inputted scene. The retrieved translation example sentence is displayed on a display device 5. A classification mode switching device 3 optionally switches the classification mode set in the classification mode holding device 2. The classification mode is classification reference based upon the use frequency and politeness of a sentence.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a language conversion device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a language conversion device such as an interpreter or a translation device used by an operator who understands a first language to transmit information in a second language.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a portable interpreter on the market, which is manufactured for the purpose of carrying it when traveling abroad. In these interpreting apparatuses, a plurality of parallel translation example sentences composed of example sentences in the first language and corresponding example sentences in the second language are stored. When the operator inputs an example sentence in the native language, the corresponding foreign language example sentence is output.

The input of an example sentence in a native language is performed by the operator selecting an example sentence displayed on the menu (this is called an example sentence selection method). In order to improve the efficiency of selection by the operator, the example sentences are classified according to the scenes in which they are used (scenes in which they are used, such as “airport” and “hotel”). When the operator selects a desired scene, the interpreter displays the example sentences classified into the scene as a menu. An interpreter using a normal example sentence search method uses about 5 to 10 scenes and often contains about 500 to 1000 parallel example sentences as a whole.

On the other hand, under one scene,
An interpreter is also known in which two-stage scenes are provided and hierarchical bilingual example sentences are classified according to the scenes. In this device, the operator searches a desired example sentence by following a menu of two to three steps.

[0005]

However, in the conventional example sentence selection type interpreter, since the operator has to select a target example sentence from many example sentences included in a scene, a search by a menu is performed. It took a lot of time and effort, and it took a lot of time to reach the target example sentence.

In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to delete an example sentence that is rarely used or an example sentence that has the same meaning but is different in politeness. However, deleting the example sentence leads to a reduction in the interpreting ability of the interpreter. Therefore, it is not preferable.

Since it is possible to translate an example sentence that is frequently used by oneself, some interpreter users recognize the importance of an example sentence that is used infrequently, so that an example sentence that is used infrequently is generally used. Is not good to remove.

Further, as a method for solving the deterioration of the search efficiency due to the increase in the number of example sentences, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-324702 discloses an example sentence search method by a method (keyword input method) of searching for example sentences based on an input keyword. Is disclosed. However, the keyword input method has problems that the input is more complicated than the menu selection method and that the input action is wasted when the input keyword is not registered in the device. Further, even in the keyword input method, a plurality of example sentences having the same meaning and different politeness may be displayed at the same time, which may require a further operation in order to select a desired example sentence.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an interpreter that allows an operator to efficiently select an example sentence even if the number of example sentences registered in the device is large.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a language conversion device for notifying a sentence in a second language by selecting a sentence in a first language. A plurality of bilingual sentences in a language and a second language are classified and stored according to a first criterion that should be selected according to a usage situation and a second criterion that should be selected according to a usage situation. Storage means, input means for inputting a first mode corresponding to the first reference, and a second mode corresponding to the second reference; and based on the input first mode and second mode Then, a desired bilingual sentence is searched from the stored bilingual sentence, and a search means for notifying this is provided.

A language conversion apparatus according to a second aspect is the language conversion apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising switching means for switching the input second mode to another mode, and the search means. The translated text is searched for and notified based on the input first mode and other switched modes.

A language conversion apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the language conversion apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second criterion includes a criterion based on the frequency of use of the sentence.

A language conversion apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the language conversion apparatus according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein the second criterion includes a criterion based on the politeness of the sentence expression. .

A language conversion device according to a fifth aspect is the language conversion device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising display means for displaying the second reference mode. .

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first language and a second language conversion device.
The plurality of bilingual sentences in different languages are categorized and stored according to the first criterion that should be selected according to the situation of use and the second criterion that should be selected according to the situation of use, etc. A desired bilingual sentence is retrieved from the stored bilingual sentence based on the first mode corresponding to the first criterion and the second mode corresponding to the second criterion, and is notified.

In addition to the operation of claim 1, the language conversion device of claim 2 switches the input second mode to another mode, and is based on the input first mode and the switched other mode. Search the bilingual sentence and notify.

In addition to the operation of claim 1 or 2, the language conversion device of claim 3 performs a search based on the frequency of use of a sentence.

A language conversion device according to a fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of any one of the first to third aspects, performs a search based on the politeness of expression of a sentence.

In addition to the operation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the language conversion device of claim 5 displays the second reference mode.

[0020]

1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an interpreter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the figure, the interpreter is a currently selected bilingual sentence database (DB) 1 which stores bilingual example sentences in a first language and a second language classified and stored based on a certain classification standard. Classification mode holding device 2 that holds the existing classification mode and classification mode switching device 3 that switches the classification mode
And a search device 4 for searching for a desired bilingual sentence based on the selected classification mode, and a display device 5 for displaying the searched example sentence.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a storage format of data stored in the bilingual text database 1 of FIG.

Referring to the drawing, the data is a scene name into which the bilingual example sentences are classified, a classification mode name into which the bilingual example sentences are classified,
It is composed of an example sentence in Japanese (first language) and a corresponding bilingual example sentence in English (second language).

Although there is one scene name in some cases, it is possible to store a plurality of scene names by a delimiter mark (;), and it is also possible to construct a hierarchical classification.

It is also possible to set a plurality of classification mode names in one set of parallel translation example sentences by using a delimiter mark.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data in the storage format of the data of FIG. Referring to the figure, the data is classified by the scene name which has two stages, "hotel" and "accommodation negotiation".

In this classification, 5 parallel translation example sentences are included,
The "normal" classification mode name is set for the three parallel translation example sentences, and the "other" classification mode name is set for the two parallel translation example sentences.

The classification mode name is artificially set, and the parallel translation example sentence in which the "normal" classification mode name is set has a relatively high frequency of use and the "other" classification mode name is set. The bilingual example sentences are relatively infrequently used.

The {} mark existing in the bilingual example sentence is a symbol called a slot, and it indicates that the words in the slot can be interchanged.

2 and 3 are flow charts for explaining the processing routine performed by the interpreter in this embodiment.

The flow charts of FIGS. 2 and 3 are shown in FIG.
Alternatively, they are connected by a portion indicated by 2 and indicate a series of treatments.

This routine is executed by turning on the power switch of the interpreter. In step S201, the stored initial state of the classification mode is set in the classification mode holding device 2 by the classification mode switching device 3. The initial state of the classification mode is set in advance according to the user's preference, or the classification mode used last in the previous use is set. In the present embodiment, the following steps will be described assuming that the classification mode "normal" is set as the initial state.

In step S202, it is determined whether there is an instruction to change the classification mode by the user of the apparatus. The instruction to change the classification mode is given by the device user by pressing a dedicated button for changing the classification mode.

If YES in step S202, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 5 in step S203, and the classification mode is changed by inputting a number from the user of the device. The changed classification mode is held by the classification mode holding device 2.

If NO at step S202, the process at step S203 is not performed.

In step S204, the screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device, and the scene is set by the user inputting a numeral. At this time, when the scenes are hierarchically classified, the upper scene is selected, and then the lower scene included in the upper scene is selected.

FIG. 8 shows the highest scene (top scene).
Is shown. In step S205, an example sentence in Japanese is searched from the bilingual sentence database 1 based on the set classification mode and the set scene.

In step S206, the retrieved Japanese example sentences are displayed together with the set scene name as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the example sentences classified into the classification mode name “normal” in the data classified in the “accommodation negotiation” scene of “hotel” (FIG. 5) are retrieved and displayed. Shows. Example sentences classified into the classification mode name "other" are not displayed.

In step S207, it is determined whether there is an instruction to change the classification mode by the user of the apparatus. The instruction to change the classification mode is given by a dedicated button as in step S202.

If YES in step S207, the classification mode setting is changed by the user of the apparatus in step S211, and the processing from step S205 is repeated. The process in step S211 is specifically the same as the process in step S203.

For example, when the device user presses the classification mode change button on the screen of FIG. 9, the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. At this time, when the device user inputs the second “other” as the setting mode and changes the classification mode, the classification mode is changed without changing the scene, and in the scene of “negotiation of accommodation” of “hotel”, As a result of searching for the classification mode name “other”, the screen of FIG. 10 is displayed.

If NO in step S207, it is determined in step S208 whether there is an instruction to search for another example sentence by the operator. Another example sentence is searched for when the operator's desired example sentence is not included in the retrieved example sentences, and is performed by the operator's key input.

If YES in step S208, the processes from step S204 are executed.

If NO in step S208, the operator selects an example sentence in step S209. Specifically, this processing is to select the displayed example sentence when the screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. For example, if the first example sentence is selected by inputting a number in FIG. 9, the corresponding English example sentence will be displayed as shown in FIG.

In step S210, the operator inputs whether or not to end. If YES, this routine is ended, and if NO, the processing from step S204 is executed.

The classification mode name is “frequently used example sentences”,
"Other example sentences" may be used. For an operator who can perform basic conversational expressions without an interpreter, by setting the classification mode in the initial state to "other", his / her known example sentence can be prevented from being displayed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the translated text database by the interpreter according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The structure of the interpreter in the second embodiment and the flow chart of the processing are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated here.

Referring to the drawing, "normal" and "polite" are set as the classification mode names in this embodiment. "Normal"
The example sentences classified into the classification mode are normal expressions, and the example sentences classified into the “polite” classification mode are detailed expressions.

In the second embodiment, since the ordinary expression and the polite expression are separately searched according to the classification mode set by the operator, an efficient search can be performed and an example sentence that matches the politeness desired by oneself. Can be searched.

The operator can also perform a search with standard politeness and change the politeness of the expression according to the atmosphere and mood of the place.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen of search results in the interpreter according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Since the device configuration and the basic processing of the interpreter in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated here.

Referring to the drawing, the type of classification mode is displayed on the display screen of the search result in the interpreter in the present embodiment, and the currently set classification mode is surrounded by [] marks and displayed.

As a result, the operator can easily confirm the type of classification mode and the currently set classification mode, and the usability is improved.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen when the set classification mode is "other".

The number of classification modes according to the embodiment of the present invention may be any number as long as it is 2 or more. Figure 1
It is also possible to classify the example sentences in three classification modes of “politeness 1”, “politeness 2”, and “politeness 3” by dividing them into degrees of politeness as shown in FIG. At this time, three setting modes can be selected on the setting mode change screen shown in FIG.

The classification mode name may be "colloquial tone", "standard", "polite", "very polite", or the like.

Further, it is possible to set a plurality of classification modes for one bilingual example sentence. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the bilingual example sentences may be classified according to whether the usage frequency is high or low and whether the politeness is normal or polite. In this case, in the setting mode change screen shown in FIG. 7, “high frequency; normal”,
It suffices to be able to select four modes of "high frequency; polite", "low frequency; normal", and "low frequency; polite". Further, in the embodiment, the translation from Japanese to English has been described, but the language may be any language.

[0061]

In the language conversion device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the bilingual sentences classified by the first criterion which should be selected according to the situation of use and the second criterion which should be selected according to the situation of use. Since a desired sentence can be searched from the inside, it is possible to prevent unnecessary sentences from being searched.

In addition to the effect of the first aspect, the language conversion device of the second aspect can switch the mode corresponding to the criterion to be selected according to the use situation and the like, so that the usability is improved.

In addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, the language conversion device of claim 3 can perform a search based on the frequency of use of a sentence.

A language conversion device according to a fourth aspect is the first to third aspects.
It is possible to perform a search based on the politeness of the sentence used in addition to any of the effects of.

A language conversion device according to a fifth aspect is the first to fourth aspects.
In addition to any one of the above effects, the second reference mode can be displayed, which improves usability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of an interpreter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a processing routine performed by the interpreter in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart following the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a storage format of data stored in a bilingual sentence database 1 of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of data in a storage format of the data of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a bilingual sentence database in the interpreting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen for changing a classification mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a scene setting screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen displayed together with a scene name in which a retrieved Japanese example sentence is set.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen in which a category mode name “other” is searched.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen after the first example sentence is selected by inputting a number in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen of search results on the interpreter according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen when the set classification mode is “other”.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a bilingual sentence database by classification in which politeness is divided into three stages.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a bilingual sentence database in which bilingual example sentences are classified according to usage frequency and politeness.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 bilingual sentence database 2 classification mode holding device 3 classification mode switching device 4 search device 5 display device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A language conversion device for notifying a sentence in a second language by selecting a sentence in a first language, wherein a plurality of parallel translation sentences in the first language and the second language are provided. , The first criterion that should be selected according to the place of use,
And storage means for classifying and storing according to a second criterion that should be selected according to the usage situation, a first mode corresponding to the first criterion, and a second mode corresponding to the second criterion. An input unit for inputting a mode, and a search unit for searching a stored bilingual sentence for a desired bilingual sentence based on the input first mode and second mode and for notifying the retrieval. A language converter. 2. The apparatus further comprises switching means for switching the input second mode to another mode, and the searching means comprises parallel translation based on the input first mode and the switched other mode. The language conversion device according to claim 1, which retrieves and notifies a sentence. 3. The language conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the second criterion includes a criterion based on the frequency of use of sentences. 4. The language conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the second criterion includes a criterion based on politeness of expression of a sentence. 5. The language conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the second reference mode.