A host of built-in speaker independent (SI) commands (available in US English, Italian, Japanese, German, Spanish and French) for ready to run basic controls. Easy-to-use and simple Graphical User Interface to program Voice Commands to your robot. Module can be used with any host with an UART interface (powered at 3.3V - 5V). The speech database used in this work was collected in an anechoic environment with ten speakers (5 M and 5 F) each speaking ten sentences in four different emotions: Happy, Angry, Sad, and Neutral.
If you’re a translator, a translation agency owner, or an LSP, you’re likely to be using some form of translation software to improve your translation workflow. If you’re not, you could be spending far longer on your translations (or a lot more money!) than necessary.
Translation software and tools
- Cloud-based translation software
- Desktop (offline) translation software
Today, we are with an exciting blog about Voice Recognition Module. Before moving further, we will explain what Voice Recognition is and what steps are to be followed for its architecture. Basically, Voice Recognition Module which converse over UART protocol with the processor/controller board. The module is compatible to all microcontrollers such as Arduino, raspberry. Voice Recognition Software For Mac free download - e-Speaking Voice and Speech Recognition, AV Voice Changer Software Diamond, Tazti Speech Recognition Software, and many more programs. Speaker independent is a system trained to respond to a word regardless of who speaks. Therefore the system must respond to a large variety of speech patterns, inflections and enunciation's of the target word. The command word count is usually lower than the speaker dependent however high accuracy can still be maintain within processing limits.
What is translation software?
Translation software programs are designed to make the translation process quicker and more efficient. With them, you can store and edit translations, translate projects section by section (while preserving the formatting), and ultimately add an extra layer of quality control (consistency, spelling, equivalence, etc.). They also make terminology management a lot simpler: you can create, access, and use terms and translation memories as you work on your projects. When we talk about translation software we usually mean CAT (computer-aided translation) tools, which should not be confused with machine translation. Although the terms might sound similar, CAT tools help translators streamline their translation processes, but do not do any of the translations for them. Machine translation, on the other hand, uses artificial intelligence to directly translate texts.
Translation software tools all serve the same purpose: to assist in and speed up the translation process. But there are different types of software out there to suit different circumstances and needs. For example, translation software tools can be downloadable desktop programs you install on your computer or cloud-based solutions you work on online. They can be paid or free. Some even go the extra mile and connect to a marketplace of freelancers so you can easily collaborate with others within the translation tool. This is particularly useful if you need to translate multiple files in different language pairs with different translators, editors, and proofreaders.
So, let’s dig into each type and review some of the best translation software tools in 2020.
Cloud-based translation software
Cloud-based (or web-based) translation tools are programs that are accessed and used online via a web browser. These platforms are becoming increasingly common in all industries, and key players in the world of translation are following suit.
Let’s see why it’s such a popular channel along with the possible drawbacks.
Pros:
- No need to free up any space or install any software on your computer.
- You can work from any operating system, whether it’s Windows, MacOS, or even a variation of Linux.
- Translations are saved in real time so you won’t lose any data. At worst, this can be one sentence, whereas you can lose everything on a desktop computer.
- You can access it on any device with an Internet connection.
- It’s easier to collaborate with others online.
- Updates and bug fixes are frequent and immediate.
Cons:
- There is always a risk of data being hacked online. However, there is no consensus in the IT world whether the risk is higher on web-based platforms than on desktop programs, where data can be erased, stolen, or lost.
- Highly reliant on an Internet connection. To remedy this, some software tools allow you to continue using most features if you lose your connection.
Paid cloud-based translation software tools
Memsource
Memsource has both a web-based and a desktop translation editor. The online editor is simple and intuitive, however, some translators find it lacks some functionalities and is slow when working on large projects. Prices start at $27 per month but there is also a free personal edition version with a two-file simultaneous translation limit, which might work for you if have a light workload.
Wordbee
Wordbee is a translation management platform with a basic CAT tool. It focuses on collaboration and works well at the project management level but lacks some of the more advanced functionalities with speed reportedly an issue. It has a 15-day free trial, and prices start at $330 per year.
XTM Cloud
XTM Cloud is an intuitive web-based translation tool with all the necessary functions and a solid support team. Annual subscriptions start at $61 per month, but you can only translate up to 20,000 words per month. For unlimited use, prices start at $359 per month. As with most other paid translation tools, there’s a 30-day free trial.
Free cloud-based translation software tools
Smartcat
Smartcat is one of the fastest-growing cloud-based software translation solutions for LSPs, translation agencies, and independent translators.
Among the benefits are that it’s free, comprehensive, and user-friendly (making it easy to transition from other CAT tools or start using one with no previous experience). It also has its own marketplace to collaborate with other professionals within the CAT tool. You can even use it to pay freelancers for work done outside the platform.
If you’re looking for a connected, one-stop solution (CAT tool, collaborative space, and freelance marketplace), it’s one of the best platforms for this. Smartcat also offers additional paid services, like 24-hour support and personal training (starting at $89 per month).
MateCat
MateCat is a web-based translation tool which is free for freelance translators and businesses. As with Smartcat, there’s no limit on the number of users or projects. Part of its appeal is that it allows you to access a public database of translation memories which you can use on your projects.
Although completely free, MateCat does offer paid plans for companies and translation agencies wanting software customization and 24-hour support among other extras. These plans start at €1,500 (≈ $1,685) per month.
As for the downsides to MateCat, it has limited functionality, and your translation memories are stored for public use by default. This means that if you’re working with confidential documents you need to make sure you make your translation memories private before starting your translation.
Wordfast Anywhere
This is the online version of the offline CAT tools Wordfast Classic and Pro. It is completely free and allows for collaboration with other users. It’s user-friendly and convenient but its main weakness is that it can be slow and prone to bugs.
Desktop (offline) translation software
Desktop translation software tools are traditional software programs you have to download and install on your computer. Many have been around for longer than their cloud-based counterparts so much of their customer base are translators, LSPs, and agencies who have been using them for years and are perhaps reluctant to explore web-based alternatives.
Let’s delve into the advantages and disadvantages of offline translation tools.
Pros:
- You can work without an Internet connection.
- No server issues like crashing or slowing down. As long as your computer works you can work.
Cons:
- You need to install the software and use up space on your computer.
- You can only use it on your computer, unless you have multiple licences and install it on other devices.
- Most (but not all) only work on Windows PCs.
- The safety of your translation projects depends on the safety of your computer. You can lose everything if your computer is stolen, damaged, or breaks down.
- Fewer updates: it takes longer to release and implement bug fixes and updates than with online software.
Paid desktop translation software tools
SDL Trados Studio
Trados is undoubtedly the most widely-used desktop translation tool, especially among companies, LSPs, and translation agencies. It’s comprehensive, feature-rich, and, most notably, everywhere — so whether you are a customer or a vendor you can be reasonably confident that the other party will support it one way or another. Prices start at €695 (≈ $780), but there’s a 30-day trial for you to try it out first.
The biggest downside to Trados is that many users find it far too complex for what most translators need, which means there’s a very steep learning curve when you first start using it. Besides, it only runs on Windows, is costly, and does not support native collaborative work. The best you can get is a client-and-server solution, which boils down to the usual “seat-counting” problems.
memoQ
memoQ is probably Trados’ biggest competitor as it is similar in functionality and performance. Prices start at $770 with a 30-day trial for the Pro version.
Like Trados, the main issue is the steep learning curve you have to go through before reaping the benefits.
Wordfast (Classic & Pro)
If you’re a fan of MS Word then perhaps Wordfast Classic is the tool for you as it works directly in Word. However, you’ll need the standalone Wordfast Pro if you want to translate other file formats. Advantages include that it’s easy to use can be installed on Windows, Linux, or Mac. There’s a 30-day free trial and costs €400 (≈ $450) for either Classic or Pro, or €500 (≈ $560) for both.
The downsides are that Wordfast Classic only supports Word documents while Wordfast Pro has limited options compared to similarly priced translation software tools.
Memsource
Although primarily a cloud-based tool, Memsource also has a desktop editor version that can be installed on Windows, Mac, or Linux. It is more robust than the web-based version but still has limitations, especially in its terminology management, when compared to more comprehensive tools like memoQ or even cloud-based Smartcat.
Déjà Vu
Déjà Vu is a complete and reliable translation tool, which is especially strong as a terminology management solution. The downside is that you’ll have to fork out at least €420 (≈ $475) to buy a license but there’s a 30-day free trial for you to try before you buy.
Across
Across is a comprehensive and very reasonably priced desktop CAT tool. They even have a free online version with basic features and an online marketplace. On the downside, speed seems to be an issue. Prices start at €19.50 (≈ $22) per month for an annual subscription.
Free desktop translation software tools
OmegaT
OmegaT is a free, open-source translation tool that you can use on Mac, Linux, and Windows. It is easy to set up and fairly easy to use. The layout of the source and target segments is slightly different from other tools, but users quickly adapt to it. A drawback, as is usual for open-source software, is that it only provides community support, so using it for enterprise-scale implementations can be risky.
CafeTran Espresso
CafeTran Espresso is particularly attractive to Mac and Linux users as, along with OmegaT, is one of the few free translation CAT tools compatible with these operating systems. However, the program is only free to use with translation memories or glossaries up to a certain size. The unlimited paid plans cost €80 (≈ $90) per year or €200 (≈ $225) for a lifetime purchase.
Overview of paid, free, cloud-based, and desktop software translation tools
PAID | FREE | |
ONLINE | Memsource (web-based) Wordbee XTM Cloud | Smartcat MateCat Wordfast Anywhere |
DESKTOP | SDL Trados Studio memoQ Wordfast (Classic & Pro) Memsource (desktop) Déjà Vu Across | OmegaT CafeTran Espresso |
What’s best for you?
Which translation software tool you go for will ultimately depend on your preferences and, perhaps, your freedom to choose. If you do have a choice, we highly recommend you try a few different translation tools to see who can offer the best all-round solution for you (the fewer tools you use, the better). If cost is an issue, remember that some are completely free, and that most paid tools offer free trials. At the end of the day, what matters is how comfortable you feel with it and how that converts in terms of productivity and the quality of your professional translations.
In the spirit of full disclosure, we want to remind our readers that this article was originally written for the Smartcat blog. However, we did our best to compare the translation tools objectively and not just promote this platform. For more CAT tool guides/reviews, we recommend checking out the following links:
What do you currently use?
We’d love to hear from you: do you use a translation software tool? If so, which one(s)? What made you choose it? What features are missing that you’d really like to see? If you’re not in love with your translation tool, why not try another? We get it... the thought of switching tools can be daunting — you’ll have to get used to a whole new translation tool all over again! But what if the change makes you more productive in the long run?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
macOS Catalina introduces Voice Control, a new way to fully control your Mac entirely with your voice. Voice Control uses the Siri speech-recognition engine to improve on the Enhanced Dictation feature available in earlier versions of macOS.1
How to turn on Voice Control
After upgrading to macOS Catalina, follow these steps to turn on Voice Control:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Accessibility.
- Click Voice Control in the sidebar.
- Select Enable Voice Control. When you turn on Voice Control for the first time, your Mac completes a one-time download from Apple.2
Voice Control preferences
When Voice Control is enabled, you see an onscreen microphone representing the mic selected in Voice Control preferences.
To pause Voice Control and stop it from from listening, say 'Go to sleep' or click Sleep. To resume Voice Control, say or click 'Wake up'.
How to use Voice Control
Get to know Voice Control by reviewing the list of voice commands available to you: say 'Show commands' or 'Show me what I can say'. The list varies based on context, and you may discover variations not listed. To make it easier to know whether Voice Control heard your phrase as a command, you can select 'Play sound when command is recognised' in Voice Control preferences.
Basic navigation
Voice Control recognises the names of many apps, labels, controls and other onscreen items, so you can navigate by combining those names with certain commands. Here are some examples:
- Open Pages: 'Open Pages'. Then create a new document: 'Click New Document'. Then choose one of the letter templates: 'Click Letter. Click Classic Letter'. Then save your document: 'Save document'.
- Start a new message in Mail: 'Click New Message'. Then address it: 'John Appleseed'.
- Turn on Dark Mode: 'Open System Preferences. Click General. Click Dark'. Then quit System Preferences: 'Quit System Preferences' or 'Close window'.
- Restart your Mac: 'Click Apple menu. Click Restart' (or use the number overlay and say 'Click 8').
You can also create your own voice commands.
Number overlays
Use number overlays to quickly interact with parts of the screen that Voice Control recognises as clickable, such as menus, checkboxes and buttons. To turn on number overlays, say 'Show numbers'. Then just say a number to click it.
Number overlays make it easy to interact with complex interfaces, such as web pages. For example, in your web browser you could say 'Search for Apple stores near me'. Then use the number overlay to choose one of the results: 'Show numbers. Click 64'. (If the name of the link is unique, you might also be able to click it without overlays by saying 'Click' and the name of the link.)
Voice Control automatically shows numbers in menus and wherever you need to distinguish between items that have the same name.
Voice Recognition Software For Mac - Free Downloads And ...
Grid overlays
Use grid overlays to interact with parts of the screen that don't have a control, or that Voice Control doesn't recognise as clickable.
Say 'Show grid' to show a numbered grid on your screen, or 'Show window grid' to limit the grid to the active window. Say a grid number to subdivide that area of the grid, and repeat as needed to continue refining your selection.
To click the item behind a grid number, say 'Click' and the number. Or say 'Zoom' and the number to zoom in on that area of the grid, then automatically hide the grid. You can also use grid numbers to drag a selected item from one area of the grid to another: 'Drag 3 to 14'.
To hide grid numbers, say 'Hide numbers'. To hide both numbers and grid, say 'Hide grid'.
Dictation
When the cursor is in a document, email message, text message or other text field, you can dictate continuously. Dictation converts your spoken words into text.
- To enter a punctuation mark, symbol or emoji, just speak its name, such as 'question mark' or 'per cent sign' or 'happy emoji'. These may vary by language or dialect.
- To move around and select text, you can use commands such as 'Move up two sentences' or 'Move forward one paragraph' or 'Select previous word' or 'Select next paragraph'.
- To format text, try 'Bold that' or 'Capitalise that', for example. Say 'numeral' to format your next phrase as a number.
- To delete text, you can choose from many delete commands. For example, say 'delete that' and Voice Control knows to delete what you just typed. Or say 'Delete all' to delete everything and start over.
Voice Control understands contextual cues, so you can seamlessly transition between text dictation and commands. For example, to dictate and then send a birthday greeting in Messages, you could say 'Happy Birthday. Click Send.' Or to replace a phrase, say 'Replace I’m almost there with I just arrived'.
Voice Recognition Module - Geeetech
You can also create your own vocabulary for use with dictation.
Create your own voice commands and vocabulary
Create your own voice commands
- Open Voice Control preferences, such as by saying 'Open Voice Control preferences'.
- Click Commands or say 'Click Commands'. The complete list of all commands opens.
- To add a new command, click the add button (+) or say 'Click add'. Then configure these options to define the command:
- When I say: Enter the word or phrase that you want to be able to speak to perform the action.
- While using: Choose whether your Mac performs the action only when you're using a particular app.
- Perform: Choose the action to perform. You can open a Finder item, open a URL, paste text, paste data from the clipboard, press a keyboard shortcut, select a menu item or run an Automator workflow.
- Use the checkboxes to turn commands on or off. You can also select a command to find out whether other phrases work with that command. For example, 'Undo that' works with several phrases, including 'Undo this' and 'Scratch that'.
To quickly add a new command, you can say 'Make this speakable'. Voice Control will help you configure the new command based on the context. For example, if you speak this command while a menu item is selected, Voice Control helps you make a command for choosing that menu item.
Create your own dictation vocabulary
- Open Voice Control preferences, such as by saying 'Open Voice Control preferences'.
- Click Vocabulary, or say 'Click Vocabulary'.
- Click the add button (+) or say 'Click add'.
- Type a new word or phrase as you want it to be entered when spoken.
Learn more
- For the best performance when using Voice Control with a Mac notebook computer and an external display, keep your notebook lid open or use an external microphone.
- All audio processing for Voice Control happens on your device, so your personal data is always kept private.
- Use Voice Control on your iPhone or iPod touch.
- Learn more about accessibility features in Apple products.
1. Voice Control uses the Siri speech-recognition engine for U.S. English only. Other languages and dialects use the speech-recognition engine previously available with Enhanced Dictation.
2. If you're on a business or school network that uses a proxy server, Voice Control might not be able to download. Have your network administrator refer to the network ports used by Apple software products.