Real-Time Translation
The instant conversion of spoken or written language from one language to another as it occurs, with minimal perceivable delay.
Understanding Real-Time Translation
Real-time translation (also called live translation) converts speech from one language to another as it's being spoken, with a delay typically measured in milliseconds to a few seconds. This technology combines speech recognition (converting audio to text), machine translation (converting text from one language to another), and optionally text-to-speech (converting translated text back to audio). Modern AI has made real-time translation remarkably accurate, enabling multilingual communication in settings that previously required expensive human interpretation services.
How Selah Translate Uses Real-Time Translation
Selah Translate delivers real-time translation with sub-500ms latency. The system uses a three-stage pipeline: (1) Soniox speech recognition captures and transcribes the spoken word, (2) neural machine translation converts the text to the target language, and (3) optional OpenAI text-to-speech generates natural-sounding audio in the target language. The broadcast feature shares this real-time translation with unlimited audience members via QR code.
Related Terms
Simultaneous Interpretation
The process of translating spoken language in real time while the speaker is still talking, with minimal delay between the original speech and the interpretation.
Speech-to-Text (STT)
Technology that converts spoken language into written text in real time, also known as automatic speech recognition (ASR).
Machine Translation (MT)
The use of software to automatically translate text or speech from one language to another without human involvement.
Text-to-Speech (TTS)
Technology that converts written text into natural-sounding spoken audio, enabling computers to "read aloud" in multiple languages.