Method using a programmed digital computer system for translation between natural languages
First Claim
1. A method for translation between source and target natural languages using a programmable digital computer system, the steps comprising:
- (a) storing in a main memory of the computer system a source text to be translated;
(b) scanning and comparing such stored source words with dictionaries of source language words stored in a memory and for each source text word for which a match is found, storing in a file in main memory each word and in assocation with each such word, coded information derived from such dictionary for use in translation of such word, the coded information including memory offset address linkages to a memory in the computer system where grammar and target language translations for the word are stored;
(c) analyzing the source text words in its file of words, a complete sentence at a time, and converting the same into a sentence in the target language utilizing the coded information and including the steps of(1) utilizing the memory offset address linkages for obtaining the target language translations of words from a memory; and
(2) reordering the target language translation into the proper target language sequence;
the step of analyzing additionally comprising the steps of analyzing each source word in multiple passes through each sentence of the source text assigning codes thereto, considering all the codes which previous passes have attached to a word and assigning target language synthesis codes attached to the meaning with which the code functions in the sentence, placing the word into a form corresponding to the target language dependent upon the analysis and consideration of all relevant codes assigned to the words.
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Abstract
A computerized translation method with universal application to all natural languages is provided. With this method, parameters are changed only when source or target languages are changed. The computerized method can be regarded as a self-contained system, having been developed to accept input tests in the source language, and look up individual (or sequences of) textwords in various dictionaries. On the basis of the dictionary information, sequences of operations are carried out which gradually generate the multiplicity of computer codes needed to express all the syntactic and semantic functions of the words in the sentence. On the basis of all the codes and target meanings in the dictionary, plus synthesis codes of such meanings, translation is carried out automatically. Procedures which generate and easily update main dictionaries, idiom dictionaries, high frequency dictionaries and compound dictionaries are integral parts of the system.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for translation between source and target natural languages using a programmable digital computer system, the steps comprising:
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(a) storing in a main memory of the computer system a source text to be translated; (b) scanning and comparing such stored source words with dictionaries of source language words stored in a memory and for each source text word for which a match is found, storing in a file in main memory each word and in assocation with each such word, coded information derived from such dictionary for use in translation of such word, the coded information including memory offset address linkages to a memory in the computer system where grammar and target language translations for the word are stored; (c) analyzing the source text words in its file of words, a complete sentence at a time, and converting the same into a sentence in the target language utilizing the coded information and including the steps of (1) utilizing the memory offset address linkages for obtaining the target language translations of words from a memory; and (2) reordering the target language translation into the proper target language sequence; the step of analyzing additionally comprising the steps of analyzing each source word in multiple passes through each sentence of the source text assigning codes thereto, considering all the codes which previous passes have attached to a word and assigning target language synthesis codes attached to the meaning with which the code functions in the sentence, placing the word into a form corresponding to the target language dependent upon the analysis and consideration of all relevant codes assigned to the words. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for translation between source and target natural languages using a programmable digital computer system, the steps comprising:
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(a) storing in a main memory of the computer system a source text to be translated; (b) scanning and comparing such stored source words with dictionaries of source language words stored in a memory and for each source text word for which a match is found, storing in a file in main memory each word and in association with each such word, coded information derived from such dictionary for use in translation of such word, the coded information including memory offset address linkages to a memory in the computer system where grammar and target language translations for the word are stored; (c) analyzing the source text words in its file of words, a complete sentence at a time, and converting the same into a sentence in the target language utilizing the coded information and including the steps of (1) utilizing the memory offset address linkages for obtaining the target language translations of words from a memory; and (2) reordering the target language translation into the proper target language sequence; the step of analyzing additionally comprising the step of keeping track of previously encountered conditions by setting a series of memory switches, each time a new part of speech is encountered a series of previously set switches are selectively turned off while additional switch or switches are selectively turned on, and including the step of executing a routine for interrogating the state of the switches in a predetermined order. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for translation between source and target natural languages using a programmable digital computer system, the steps comprising:
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(a) storing in a main memory of the computer system a source text to be translated; (b) scanning and comparing such stored source words with dictionaries of source language words stored in a memory and for each source text word for which a match is found, storing in a file in main memory each word and in association with each such word, coded information derived from such dictionary for use in translation of such word, the coded information including memory offset address linkages to a memory in the computer system where grammar and target language translations for the word are stored; (c) analyzing the source text words in its file of words, a complete sentence at a time, and converting the same into a sentence in the target language utilizing the coded information and including the steps of (1) utilizing the memory offset address linkages for obtaining the target language translations of words from a memory; and (2) reordering the target language translation into the proper target language sequence; the step of analyzing additionally comprising the steps of analyzing a sequence of words in the source language within phrases and clauses in relation to the target language word sequence, the target language word sequence being expressed symbolically by assigned numbers and printing out the translation of the words taking into consideration each source word, and comprising the additional steps of placing the translated words formed after analyzing in a print area in a sequence specified by the relationships between the source and target languages and set up previously by the numbers given after each word and transferring the translation when the print area is filled either directly onto a printer or onto a temporary auxiliary storage device.
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19. A method for translation between source and target natural languages using a programmable digital computer system, the steps comprising:
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(a) storing a source text to be translated, (b) scanning and comparing the source text words with dictionaries of source language words and for each source text word for which a match is found, storing in a file the word and in association with each such word, coded information derived from such dictionary for use in translation of such word, the coded information including offset address linkages to a memory in the computer system where an idiom dictionary is located; (c) storing in at least one idiom dictionary in memory second and succeeding idiom words, if any, in a source idiom; (d) storing at least one further dictionary having the first words of source language idioms and associated therewith address linkages to second and subsequent words in the same idiom which are located in the idiom dictionary, the first word and subsequent words, if any, of an idiom having an assocated target language meaning stored in association therewith; (e) said step of scanning and comparing comprising the steps of; (1) comparing the source text words with the words in the at least one further dictionary; (2) detecting those words that are equal and are first words of idioms; (3) utilizing the offset address linkages to locate the additional word or words in the same idiom located in the idiom dictionary; (4) comparing the located further words in the idiom with the words in the source text which follow the first idiom word for an equality; and (5) upon detecting such an equality, storing the first idiom word together with the target language meaning into a file; (f) analyzing the file of words, sentence by sentence, and responsive to the associated information including the offset address linkages (1) obtaining the target language translation of words from memory; and (2) reordering the target language translation into the proper target language sequence. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for translation between source and target natural languages a using programmable digital computer system, the steps comprising:
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(a) converting a source text to be translated from visual indicia to computer intelligible binary coded signal; (b) storing the converted source text to be translated; (c) scanning and comparing the converted source text words with dictionaries of source language words and for each source text word for which a match is found, storing in a file the word and in association with each such word, coded information derived from such dictionary for use in translation of such word; (d) storing in at least one idiom dictionary in memory second and succeeding idiom words, if any, in a source idiom; (e) storing at least one further dictionary having the first words of source language idioms and associated therewith address linkages to second and subsequent words in the same idiom which are located in the idiom dictionary, the first word and subsequent words, if any, of an idiom having an associated target language meaning stored in association therewith; (f) said step of scanning and comparing comprising the steps of; (1) comparing the converted source text words with the words in the at least one further dictionary; (2) detecting those words that are equal and are first words of idioms; (3) utilizing the offset address linkages to locate the additional word or words in the same idiom located in the idiom dictionary; (4) comparing the located further words in the idiom with the words in the converted source text which follow the first idiom word for an equality; and (5) upon detecting such an equality, storing the first idiom word together with the target language meaning into a file; (g) analyzing the file of words, sentence by sentence, and responsive to the associated information including the offset address linkages (1) obtaining the target language translation of words from memory; and (2) reordering the target language translation into the proper target language sequence; (h) converting the proper target language sequence from computer intelligible binary coded signals back to visual indicia. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification