As some of you know, I presented an abstract demonstrating how Google Translate can be used to accommodate multiple languages at once.  It involves inserting a simple formula that looks like  =googletranslate(A2,"en", "fr")   into multiple cells of a Google Sheet that can then be projected onto a screen, or viewed on a remote computer or handheld device. 

Some engineers in Armenia (Fantasy Space) have created a usable interface (Polyglotte.am)  that allows rapid setup of a tool to translate a source language into 3 translated languages, and all of these languages can be chosen on the spot.  Users could choose additional languages on their personal devices, in person or remotely.  The demo version (select "Demo" from upper right corner) is available to explore.  The final version would allow setup of multiple concurrent sessions (such as during breakout meetings).  A GPT program runs in the background and measures the accuracy of translation back-translating to the original language and  compares how closely the back-translation matches what was originally entered.

It is not live voice-to text translation.  It is more like subtitles, designed to help the listener stay "caught up" with the discussion.  Entry of text into the system may be done in any of several ways, but attention is paid to simplicity of sentence structure.  Complex verbage is avoided in order to maximize translation accuracy.

It has some ready advantages:

• essentially free of cost
• No need for electronic earpieces
• can be adapted to any setting, including breakout sessions.  Takes a few minutes to set up.
• It is easy to adapt to nearly 100 languages.  The "en" and "fr" above refer to English and French, and can be changed to whatever language we prefer. (In the Polyglotte.am app, you can rapidly change between all of the supported languages within seconds.)
• can translate to as many languages as you want.  Easy to add languages if someone shows up from Japan
• automatically updates on all the devices logged into the Google Sheet
• back-translation to the original language shows when there is a bad translation if the original and the back-translation don't match.  (The engineers at Fantasy Space are working to install GPT measurement of translation accuracy for each language using this back-translation comparison to original text.)
• ability for the viewer to focus on a single language
• can accommodate someone viewing a conference call remotely.  These viewers can choose their own language using the Polyglotte.am app.

• Translation appears like a subtitle, lags a few seconds behind the speaker (since someone is typing, pasting or dictating it into the app)
• requires someone to enter the text for translation (I use voice dictation, or cut & paste, but fast typing also works OK)
• the person entering text must avoid idioms or complex sentences
• Currently looks like a spreadsheet.  Engineers in Armenia are working with me to create a better end-user experience.  (see https://polyglotte.am)

I have listed some references below.  Meanwhile, I'd be very happy to offer a live demonstration online.  We could experiment with several source languages.  What do you think?

Cheers / Salud / Santé / Prost / Cin Cin / Կենաց /  ваше здоровье

Jerry