The Spoken Language Translator (Studies in Natural Language Processing) - Softcover

Rayner, Manny

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521038820 ISBN 13: 9780521038829

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This book presents a detailed description of Spoken Language Translator (SLT), one of the first major projects in the area of automatic speech translation. The SLT system can translate between English, French, and Swedish in the domain of air travel planning, using a vocabulary of about 1500 words, and with an accuracy of about 75 per cent. The greater part of the book describes the language processing components, which are largely built on top of the SRI Core Language Engine, using a combination of general grammars and techniques that allow them to be rapidly customized to specific domains. Speech recognition is based on Hidden Markov Mode technology, and uses versions of the SRI DECIPHER system. This account of the Spoken Language Translator should be an essential resource both for those who wish to know what is achievable in spoken-language translation today, and for those who wish to understand how to achieve it.

About this title

Review

'... the book provides a fine overview of the main considerations in the development of a domain-specific speech translation system. The editors have ensured that the main issues are covered, and much effort has been made to ensure a balance in both form and contents from one chapter to another.' M. C. L'Homme, Computing Reviews

'... an essential resource both for those who wish to know what is achievable in spoken language translation today, and for those who wish to understand how to achieve it.' Zentralblatt für Mathematik

'... a very accessible account of a mainly rule-based system for translating spoken language. ... the book is very well written and structured. There are many lessons here for subsequent generations of speech and language researchers. ... it would be a good primer for anyone wishing to develop a serious speech or language processing system.' Journal of Natural Language Processing

Book Description

This book, which should be of interest to anyone working in computational linguistics, speech recognition, cognitive science, artificial intelligence or machine translation, describes the Spoken Language Translator (SLT), one of the first major projects in the area of automatic speech translation. The book explains in detail how the SLT system works and presents an objective evaluation of its performance.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521038820
• ISBN 13: 9780521038829
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 356