US Army finding handheld translators useful
The US Army is using handheld translation devices in its campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is finding them a useful tool for communicating with the local population. There are currently around 7,000 of these ‘Phaselators’ in the Iraqi and Afghan theatres, but they are also being used by US servicemen stationed in Japan, where once again, they are being found useful…the device can translate into more than 40 languages.
The device works in a similar way to many commercial translators i.e. you speak and it will produce an audible translation for the target listener; the device, though, was produced specifically for military use; the Phaselator can last 10 days without being re-charged and is designed to withstand all the rigors of a combat theatre.
The device has one shortcoming though…it is only a ‘one way translation system’, so whilst it can translate “show me your ID papers”, if the respondent says “I don’t have them”, then the serviceman will be completely stumped.
Moves are afoot to remedy this situation though; development is underway to construct a ‘two way’ translator; it is estimated that the completed ‘two way’ machine is between 5 and 10 years away.
Lets hope it’s more like 30 to 40 years away…or we’ll all be out of a job !!