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{\large \bf Context/Language Translation:}\\
{\large \bf Speech Recognition}
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Context/language translation involves four principal applications:
understanding the memory basis of language, semantic translation, speech recognition,
and language translation.
The focus here is on speech recognition.

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{\bf Speech Recognition Systems as Computer System Interfaces}

Real-time continuous speech recognition systems could be used as user interfaces to computer systems.
Currently , these interfaces entail keyboard-based systems or isolated word recognition systems.
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{\it Keyboard-based systems} are very cumbersome, requiring that a person translate from thoughts to the
specified commands.
Further, health hazards, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, occur with keyboard-based systems.
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{\it Isolated word recognition systems} represent an initial step toward easing the process from thought
to use of the computer system.
However, an article in the {\it Wall Street Journal} [1]
discussed some of the health hazards of isolated word recognition systems.
Isolated word speech is not natural, and the throat may experience
problems caused by unnatural breathing patterns associated with isolated word speech.
\end{itemize}
Hence, continuous speech recognition systems are necessary.

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{\bf Computational Issues}

The computational issues involved with this application
include the following:
\begin{enumerate}
\item
Modeling coarticulation, or the running of one word with the next word
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Identifying end points of words
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Recognizing spoken words
\item
Performing the computation in real time---milliseconds to seconds.
Otherwise, users may begin to overcompensate for not seeing the computer result of their spoken command.
\end{enumerate}

The memory requirements are modest.  Memory is needed principally for the database of words.

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{\bf References}

1.  {\it Wall Street Journal}, August 18, 1995
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