Vcommunicator Mobile translates so troops don't have to

Using a regular iPod loaded up with a bunch of Arabic and Kurdish phrases, a company called Vcom3D has created a makeshift language translator that 160 troops in Iraq are already using. The iPod features different "playlists" for different scenarios, with relevant phrases included on MP3s. The contents of the MP3s include on-screen Arabic and English text forms, with a phonetic version of the Arabic phrases also included. The package comes with a sturdy armband case, with a speaker attached further up the arm for one hand operation. Sounds like a cheap and practical approach to the problem of communication in Baghdad and beyond.

[WifeBeater3000 @ Oct 7th 2007 7:18PM]

Sooner or later someone is going to do a klingon hack so they can infiltrate star trek conventions.

I don't know why you'd want to, but it's bound to happen.

[Simon @ Oct 7th 2007 7:23PM]

Still haven't found that illusive babelfish, then?

[Simon @ Oct 7th 2007 7:25PM]

elusive, ffs.

[Nex @ Oct 7th 2007 11:33PM]

because troops in a humvee in down town bagdad have on the fly internet access right?

[Simon @ Oct 7th 2007 11:53PM]

world != internet

Theres such a thing as a book, specifically one entitled 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The galaxy'. The babelfish is a small fish that when placed in your ear, will allow you to understand any language in the universe, and apparrently speak it too. The internet babelfish you are obviously referring to takes it's name from the fictional babelfish in THGTTG.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babelfish

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 7th 2007 7:37PM]

What?

[sb @ Oct 7th 2007 7:46PM]

For sure, this is no Babelfish or Universal Translator. No translation is involved. It's just an audio phrasebook. When you push button 1, the recorded voice says "Stop or I'll shoot." When you push button 2, the voice says "Kindly replace the pin in that grenade, sir." The buttons just happen to be marked with the English phrases.

But I'll bet the contractor that builds this thing tells the Pentagon buyers that it's straight out of Star Trek. Anyway, let's hope it saves somebody's life.

[RandomManatee @ Oct 7th 2007 11:12PM]

This will never replace the actual need for interpreters. As a Soldier, I was on a raid and asked, "Where did (insurgent) go?" The guy's answer was something to the effect of, "he went down to the 4th house on the left, but I don't think he's there anymore." The problem with having a thing to translate is that you still don't understand the answer.

Oh yeah...Every unit that leaves a base in Iraq has an interpreter with them.

[Bad Beaver @ Oct 8th 2007 2:15AM]

Yeah, I see it right there. Trooper has to kick down some door, rushing in with the M4 up, continues to shout "TALK TO THE HAND!". If it wasn't for all the pitiable parties involved I would say that certain wars just got even more ridiculous, if that was at all possible.

[L. Cyphre @ Oct 8th 2007 3:49AM]

"Did you see where the terrorists went?"

"Your sister looks like a camel!"

[Tess @ Oct 8th 2007 1:33PM]

Quote: sb @ Oct 7th 2007 7:46PM
But I'll bet the contractor that builds this thing tells the Pentagon buyers that it's straight out of Star Trek. Anyway, let's hope it saves somebody's life. End Quote.

I am one of the animators on this project and we certainly told them no such thing. In fact, they came to us, after seeing our ASL Dictionary on an iPod during a conference and asked if we could do the same thing or something similiar for them with a foreign language and include audio and gestures. Something our troops could use during downtown to help them learn a basic language and culture.

Basically it's an audio dictionary but it also includes acceptable gestures with any given phrase, visual cues for learning individual words for things like basic colors, numbers or time. Aslo included is writing in the foreign language for all basic phrases and words that any traveler might need to be able to move around a foreign country with confidence. This not meant to replace an interpreter or an in-depth language course but something that a soldier can use after having been deployed without benefit/time of language courses and cultural training.

I repeat, it's a tool...that's all. The learning, as little or as much, is up to you.