Speech Translator

IBM; Armonk, N.Y.

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  • Year
  • 1925 ??
  • Category
  • Audio Amplifier or -mixer
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 330510

Audio (to hear)

 Technical Specifications

  • Main principle
  • Audio-Amplification
  • Wave bands
  • - without
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC)
  • Loudspeaker
  • - For headphones or amp.
  • Material
  • Metal case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Speech Translator - IBM; Armonk, N.Y.
  • Shape
  • Boatanchor (heavy military or commercial set >20 kg).
  • Notes

  • Simultaneous Interpretation System

    The IBM Speech Translation System, used in the Nuremberg trials in 1945, connected over cables simultaneous translation of a speaker's remarks into as many as 4 languages.  

    Wikipedia:
    The equipment used to establish this system was provided by IBM and included an elaborate setup of cables that were hooked up to headsets and single earphones directly from the four interpreting booths (often referred to as "the aquarium").
    Four channels existed for each working language, as well as a root channel for the proceedings without interpretation. The switching of channels was controlled by a setup at each table in which the listener merely had to turn a dial to switch between languages.

    The interpreters could signal to the respective speaker via different coloured lamps "speak more slowly“, “speak more clearly“, “repeat passage" and “interrupt speech“.

    People tripping over the floor-laid cables often led to the headsets getting disconnected, with several hours at a time sometimes being taken to repair the problem and continue with the trials.

    Die Firma IBM stellte 1945 für die Nürnberger Prozesse kostenlos eine spezielle Simultandolmetschanlage, die damals Speech Translator genannt wurde, zur Verfügung.
    Die Anlage war zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits zwanzig Jahre alt und daher etwas veraltet.
    Technische Störungen waren keine Seltenheit. Es handelte sich um eine verglaste, nach oben offene Kabine für je drei Dolmetscher.

    Die Dolmetscher konnten dem jeweiligen Redner über verschiedenfarbige Lampen „langsamer sprechen“, „deutlicher sprechen“, „Passage wiederholen“ und „Rede unterbrechen“ signalisieren.

  • Author
  • Model page created by Heribert Jung. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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