1. Simultaneous Translation services via Cellphone technology
NWU IT-ES/NWU IT-ELD
Simultaneous Translation services via Cellphone technology
Presented by: Tinus Steenkamp

2. The current language scenario in the world
By Rick Noack and Lazaro Gamio: April 23, 2015 

3. Source:Ethologue:Languages of the world,Eighteent edition
Language diversity-South Africa according
to the Greenberg index (88)
Source:Ethologue:Languages of the world,Eighteent edition

4. SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES 2011
South African context:
SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES 2011
Language
Number of speakers*
% of total
Afrikaans
13.5%
English
9.6%
isiNdebele
2.1%
isiXhosa
16%
isiZulu
22.7%
Sepedi
9.1%
Sesotho
7.6%
Setswana 8%
Sign language
0.5%
SiSwati
2.5%
Tshivenda
2.4%
Xitsonga
4.5%
Other
1.6%
TOTAL **
100%
Besides the 11 official languages, scores of others – African, European, Asian – are spoken in South Africa, as the country lies at the crossroads of southern Africa
Source: Census 2011

5. NWU Language policy depicts amongst other things:
Special attention to demographical needs
English and Afrikaans are primary languages for tuition
Concerned efforts are made at each of the NWU campuses to (i) implement Setswana and Sesotho for teaching-learning purposes; (ii) to monitor the effectiveness hereof and (iii) to report annually to IM on the progress and outcomes of these projects
Where classes are not presented in Afrikaans Educational Interpreting Services (EIS) are provided mainly into English in one or more teaching programmes in each of the faculties at the Potchefstroom Campus. In some instances, EIS are also provided into Afrikaans and Setswana. Upon admission, students are duly informed of the availability of EIS in teaching programmes and they need to take into account the language consequences if they migrate between programmes.
Institutional language policy Oct 2012

6. Customer where the need pertains
NWU LANGUAGE DIRECTORATE
The Educational Interpreting Service at the North-West University provides interpreting services
in a variety of modules at the NWU, as well as non-academic interpreting on request.
BEng
BPharm
BCur
LLB
BA Political and Social Studies
BCom International Trade
BCom Human Resource Management
BCom CA
BSc Actuarial Studies
Bachelor's in Social Work
BEd (Foundation and Intermediate phase)
BSc Nutrition
BA and BA Hons (Theology)
BA Communication
Diploma in Sports Science

7. HOW DOES INTERPRETING WORK?
Students hand in their student cards at the interpreter in class in exchange for an earphone (these earphones are cleaned with medical alcohol swabs after each use).
Students can sit anywhere in the class and use the earphone to listen to the interpreting.
Students then hear the interpreted version of the class at the same time as the rest of the class and can thus participate in class, ask questions, etc.
At the end of the lecture, they return their earphones in exchange for their student cards

8. Cons: Current methods utilized
Fixed connections in designated classrooms
Wireless earpieces
Cons:
Costly (especially wireless)
Labour intensive (installation, distribution, collections and cleaning)
Slow roll out-Depending on availability of classrooms
Not agile (should urgent need arise for the service)

9. Solution paradigm shift :
Translators already exists
N.W.U. IT Ecar 2016 Student technology survey indicated that
75.2 % of participants owns a Android Phone
84.2 % owns a laptop
Predominantly (+- 91 %) connects 1-2 devices simultaneously
Prefers to follow activities on handheld devices (> 60 % perceive this as extremely important-academically)
Relates to a overall good experience with wireless technology on campus

10. Why not utilize the current trend to solve an old problem?
No problem but what are the challenges?
What medium to use (Software based I e. VLC,app etc.)?
What source will be applicable (PC ,IPad )?
How to manage the operating system (network management )?
How will the setup work ( operational method)?
Simultaneous connections are possible > demand?
Easier to use for the service provider?
How will it be accepted by the current user?
What if the user does nor have a smart device?
What if Wi-Fi goes down or phone battery goes flat ?

11. Where are we? http://196.252.90.247:8090/english.mp3
What medium to use (Software based i.e. VLC etc)- HTTP via Web browser of choice
What source will be applicable (PC ,Ipad,Off the shelf)? - Raspberry Pi
How to manage the operating system(network management )- Hardware switch on/off
How will the setup work ( operational method)? QR code or streaming URL
Simultaneous connections are possible > demand? Dry run proofed stable with 102 connections
Easier to use for the service provider? Positive translator feedback
How will it be accepted by the current user? To be tested and evaluated
What if the user does nor have a smart device? (Aim is to release pressure on current system)
What if Wi-Fi goes down or phone battery goes flat ? Still in process

12. + = End Product: The answer
The answer
+ = End Product:
Translation services that utilizes a small Raspberry Pi (3) to convey speech to the participant via a given URL/QR by using the preferred web browser chosen by the participant /device owner In other words: You will receive the lecture in the alternative language in the same manner that u will listen to your favourite radio station.

13. Concerns still on the table:
Connectivity – and availability of Wi-fi
Power utilization of device
Time delay in processing the speech
Client/student acceptance
Service provider go ahead

14. Little bit of resource stats
Number of connections: 66
Bandwidth in use: 21440k
Memory Usage: 346Mb out of 923Mb
FFmpeg memory usage: 35Kb
CPU usage: 35% average
Number of connections: 102
Bandwidth in use: 32320k
Memory Usage: 373Mb out of 923Mb
FFmpeg memory usage: 37Kb
CPU usage: 40% average

15. Concerns noted:
Project still in preliminary phase and are concerns still treated as in process.
Preliminary tests indicate that:
Delay between translator and user could be shorter-Service provider
Good user experience after tests during departmental meeting measured-Positive feedback
Easy use of interface-QR code URL code send out or displayed on screen
Clear sound experienced
User can use recording app to record classroom translation
Streamed at 320 kb/s and 102 consecutive connections where recorded with success

16. What is next?
Determine corrective measurements on feedback from preliminary tests
Beta test to follow within controlled environment
Determine and apply corrective measurements obtained from beta test concerns
Run another test to determine success of corrective measures taken
Collaborate with users and service provider on the outcome of beta and other tests
Feedback from test and clients will determine the way forward

17. Aimed and but not limited to:
The aim of this project is to ease the pressure on the current resources utilized by and for translation services. The project is currently not aiming at replacing excising measures but rather relieving pressure due to high user demands.
We do however take note of other possible solutions presented by this project such as:
Recording live classroom lectures for own use
Meeting translation with foreign clients
Across campus meeting translation
Student participation despite absenteeism due to :
Illness
Family responsibilities etc.
Other responsibilities

18. Benefit to blended learning
Personalized-Language of better understanding
Portable-Not limited to physical environment
Empowering
Not excluding-Inclusive and accessibility
Second channel for lecture capturing
Quality control remotely