Information processing device, translation system, translation method, and program

Abstract

The system will provide translations tailored to the user's skill level. [Solution] The information processing device (2), upon receiving a translation request that includes a first sentence (506) in a first language, information (502) specifying a second language different from the first language, and proficiency level information (504) specifying the proficiency level of the grammar related to the second language, comprises a translation means (202) that translates the first sentence into a sentence in the second language based on the translation request, and a translation result creation means (203) that creates a sentence in the second language as a translated text for the first sentence, wherein the translation means translates the first sentence into a sentence (508) in the second language using the grammar corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a translation system, a translation method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a system that supports conversations in languages such as English. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic voice translation system that can determine the language type and easily set the language to be translated by simply uttering simple words such as greetings.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The user of the above automatic voice translation system can use the automatic voice translation service when they want to know the translated text (English text) of the original text (Japanese text) they want to convey to the other party in a scene where they communicate in English. However, the translated text presented by the translation service may be difficult to express and the sentence structure may not be understood depending on the user's proficiency level.

[0005] One of the purposes of the present invention is to present a translated text according to the user's proficiency level.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes, upon receiving a translation request comprising: a first sentence in a first language; information specifying a second language different from the first language; and proficiency level information specifying a proficiency level of the grammar relating to the second language, a translation means for translating the first sentence into a sentence in the second language based on the translation request; and a translation result creation means for creating a sentence in the second language as a translated sentence for the first sentence, wherein the translation means translates the first sentence into a sentence in the second language using the grammar corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above embodiment, translated text can be presented according to the user's proficiency level. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a learning support system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a table illustrating examples of translation tools by level. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B are tables illustrating translation levels and examples of grammar and vocabulary that can be used for translation. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed in a learning support system according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figures 5A to 5D illustrate the first specific example of translation processing. [Figure 6] Figures 6A to 6D illustrate a second specific example of the translation process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The learning support system 1 illustrated in Figure 1 includes a translation device 2 and a user terminal 3 that are connected to each other via a communication network 4 such as the Internet. Although only one user terminal 3 is shown in Figure 1, the learning support system 1 can include any number of user terminals 3. The communication network 4 is not limited to the Internet, but may also be an intranet such as a school LAN, or may include both an intranet and the Internet. The communication network 4 may also include a mobile communication network (mobile phone line). The learning support system 1 is an example of a translation system that provides translation services via the communication network 4.

[0010] User terminal 3 may be an electronic device that requests translation of a desired text entered by the user from translation device 2 and presents the translation result from translation device 2 to the user. In one embodiment, user terminal 3 can transmit a translation request to translation device 2 that includes a first text (source text) in a first language, information specifying a second language different from the first language, and proficiency level information specifying the proficiency level of the grammar related to the second language. The proficiency level is associated with the grammar (e.g., syntax) and vocabulary that can be used in the second language text presented to the user as a translation result. Details of the proficiency level will be described later. User terminal 3 may be, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet, but is not limited to such a device. User terminal 3 may be any electronic device that can communicate with translation device 2 via a communication network 4 and is capable of creating translation requests and presenting translation results to the user, and may be a stationary (desktop) personal computer or a wearable device such as a smartwatch. User terminal 3 may also be a dedicated electronic device specialized in providing translation functions in cooperation with translation device 2. As illustrated in Figure 1, the user terminal 3 includes a control unit 300, a storage unit 310, an input unit 320, a display unit 330, and a communication unit 340, which are interconnected by a bus 390. The term "unit" used in the notation of components corresponding to blocks within the user terminal 3 and translation device 2 in Figure 1 may be read as "means." For example, the control unit 300 may be read as control means 300.

[0011] The control unit 300 controls the operation of the user terminal 3. The control unit 300 may be a processor such as a CPU that executes various programs such as operating system programs and application programs. The storage unit 310 stores programs executed by the processor and various information. The storage unit 310 may include ROM and RAM as main memory and auxiliary storage. The auxiliary storage may be, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or other portable recording media (e.g., a memory card).

[0012] The input unit 320 detects various input operations performed by the user of the user terminal 3. The input unit 320 may include, for example, a character input means such as a hardware keyboard or software keyboard that detects the input of a first sentence in a first language. The input unit 320 may also include, for example, a microphone that detects (receives) the input of a first sentence by voice, and means for detecting a first sentence input by another method (for example, a camera that takes pictures used for image recognition). The display unit 330 is a display device that displays various information related to the operation of the user terminal 3, including translation processing using the translation device 2, and may be, for example, a dot matrix liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. The display of the display unit 330 is controlled by the control unit 300 or a display control unit (not shown) provided separately from the control unit 300. If the user terminal 3 is a mobile terminal or a wearable terminal, the user terminal 3 may be equipped with a touch panel display that has the functions of both an input unit 320 and a display unit 330. The communication unit 340 wirelessly connects the user terminal 3 to the communication network 4 according to a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi®, or a communication standard such as a fourth-generation mobile communication system (4G) or a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G), and communicates with the communication unit 240 of the translation device 2 via the communication network 4. The communication unit 340 may also connect the user terminal 3 to the communication network 4 via a communication cable such as a LAN cable. The display unit 330 of the user terminal 3 is an example of a display unit (display means) that presents the translation results from the translation device 2 to the user. The user terminal 3 may also be equipped with an audio output unit (for example, a sound output device or audio output terminal, sometimes called a speaker or receiver) that presents the translation results from the translation device 2 to the user by audio output. The communication unit 340, or an audio output unit (not shown), may be wirelessly connected to a corresponding earphone or speaker, etc., according to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth®.

[0013] Translation device 2 may be an information processing device that, in response to a translation request from user terminal 3, translates a first sentence (source text) in a first language into a sentence in a second language different from the first language, and presents the translation result to the user of user terminal 3. The information processing device may be a single computer or an information processing system composed of multiple computers connected in a communicative manner. The computer acting as translation device 2 (information processing device) may also be called a server. After translating a sentence in the first language into a sentence in the second language, translation device 2 can also perform a back translation from the translated sentence in the second language back into a new sentence in the first language. Translation device 2 may be capable of translating between two languages ​​selected from a plurality of languages, including the first language and the second language.

[0014] As illustrated in Figure 1, the translation device 2 includes a control unit 200, a storage unit 210, and a communication unit 240. The control unit 200 controls the operation of the translation device 2. The control unit 200 may be a processor such as a CPU that executes operating system programs and translation programs. The storage unit 210 stores the translation programs executed by the processor and various information. The storage unit 210 may include ROM and RAM as main memory and auxiliary storage devices such as an HDD or SSD. The communication unit 240 connects the translation device 2 to the communication network 4 via a communication cable such as a LAN cable, and communicates with the communication unit 340 of the user terminal 3 via the communication network 4. The communication unit 240 may wirelessly connect the translation device 2 to the communication network 4 according to a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi, or according to a communication standard of a mobile communication system (4G, 5G, etc.). Note that the translation device 2 is not limited to a specific hardware configuration. The translation device 2 is not limited to a general-purpose computer capable of executing various programs including translation programs, but may also be a dedicated information processing device designed and manufactured as a translation device.

[0015] In one embodiment of the translation device 2, the control unit 200 may include a reception unit 201, a translation unit 202, and a translation result creation unit 203, and the storage unit 210 may include a main translation database 211 and a level-specific translation tool 212. The main translation database 211 contains various data for translating source text in response to translation requests from user terminals 3. After the control unit 200 of the translation device 2 receives a translation request from user terminals 3 in the reception unit 201, the translation unit 202 refers to the main translation database 211 and translates the source text (text in the first language) included in the translation request into text in the second language. That is, the translation unit 202 and the main translation database 211 in the translation device 2 according to one embodiment have functions similar to those of a well-known translation engine.

[0016] In one embodiment, the translation unit 202 of the translation device 2 can translate a sentence in the first language into a sentence in the second language using grammar (e.g., syntax) and vocabulary available at the proficiency level specified by the user of the user terminal 3 in the translation request. The proficiency level may be the proficiency level of the user of the user terminal 3, or the person with whom the user of the user terminal 3 communicates in the second language (hereinafter collectively referred to as "user, etc."). If the target second language is English, the proficiency level can be associated with an English qualification, for example, with the grades of the Practical English Proficiency Test conducted by the Japan English Proficiency Association, known as Eiken (registered trademark), as shown in Figure 3A. In the table in Figure 3A, "Not specified" for the proficiency level is associated with the highest proficiency level that a user, etc. who can or has passed the Eiken Grade 2 exam can select, for example, and there are no restrictions on the grammar and vocabulary available for translation (English translation). If the proficiency level in the translation request is "not specified," the translation device 2 refers to the main translation database 211 and presents the translated English text to the user on the user terminal 3 as the translation result. In the table in Figure 3A, proficiency level "1" is associated with the proficiency level of a user who can or has passed the Eiken Grade 5 exam, and the grammar and vocabulary that can be used for translation are limited to the level of the Eiken Grade 5 exam (in other words, only the grammar and vocabulary that can be used in the Eiken Grade 5 exam questions). Proficiency level "2" is limited to the level of the Eiken Grade 4 exam (in other words, only the grammar and vocabulary that can be used in the Eiken Grade 4 exam questions). Proficiency level "3" is limited to the level of the Eiken Grade 3 exam (in other words, only the grammar and vocabulary that can be used in the Eiken Grade 3 exam questions). Note that the stages of proficiency levels are not limited to the expressions "not specified" and "1" to "3" as described above, as shown in Figure 3A. Furthermore, if the target language for translation is a language other than English (for example, German, French, Chinese, etc.), the grammar and vocabulary used in each level of the language proficiency test may be associated with the level of proficiency.

[0017] When the second language to be translated is English, the proficiency level may be the range of grammar and vocabulary according to the school year, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In the table of FIG. 3B, for proficiency level "1", the grammar and vocabulary available for translation (English translation) are limited to only the grammar and vocabulary learned in elementary school. For proficiency level "2", the grammar and vocabulary available for translation are limited to only the grammar and vocabulary learned in elementary school and the first year of junior high school. For proficiency level "3", the grammar and vocabulary available for translation are limited to only the grammar and vocabulary learned from elementary school to the second year of junior high school.

[0018] For the translation device 2 according to an embodiment, in order to translate a sentence in the first language into a sentence in the second language using the grammar and vocabulary available at the specified proficiency level, the level-specific translation tool 212 can be stored in the storage unit 210. The first-level information 213, the second-level information 214, and the third-level information 215 in the level-specific translation tool 212 in FIG. 1 can each include information on the grammar and vocabulary available at the above-described proficiency levels "1" to "3". For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first-level information 213 in the level-specific translation tool 212 stores the syntax and available words that can be used when proficiency level "1" is specified. The second-level information 214 stores the syntax and words excluding the syntax and words stored in the first-level information 213 corresponding to the lower proficiency level "1" among the syntax and available words that can be used when proficiency level "2" is specified. The third-level information 215 stores the syntax and words excluding the syntax and words stored in the first-level information 213 and the syntax and words stored in the second-level information 214 among the syntax and available words that can be used when proficiency level "3" is specified. For example, when the correspondence between the proficiency level and the available grammar and vocabulary is the relationship in the table of FIG. 3A, the second-level information 214 stores the syntax and words excluding the syntax and words at the English Proficiency Test level 5 range among the syntax and words at the English Proficiency Test level 4 range.

[0019] The information stored in Level 1 information 213, Level 2 information 214, and Level 3 information 215 is not limited to the syntax and word combinations described above. The information stored in each level information 213-215 may also include other grammatical information. The information stored in each level information 213-215 may also consist only of grammatical information including syntax (i.e., it may not include information on usable words). The grammar (e.g., syntax) and words usable for each translation level stored in each level information 213-215 of the level-based translation tool 212 may be, for example, grammar and words within the scope of questions defined in the corresponding certification exam, or within the scope of learning defined in the curriculum guidelines for the corresponding learning year. The grammar and words usable for each translation level may also be extracted by creating a database of the contents of the relevant certification exam or reference book for the relevant learning year using machine learning, etc.

[0020] An example of the processing that takes place between the user terminal 3 and the translation device 2 in the learning support system 1 shown in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. In the sequence diagram of Figure 4, the processing of the user terminal is mainly performed by the control unit 300 of the user terminal 3, and the processing of the translation device is mainly performed by the control unit 200 of the translation device 2.

[0021] For example, when a user of the user terminal 3 inputs an operation for accessing the translation device 2 to the input unit 320, the control unit 300 of the user terminal 3 transmits an access request to the translation device 2 via the communication unit 340 (step S300). Thereafter, when the translation device 2 transmits an acceptance screen for accepting a translation request in response to the access request from the user terminal 3 to the user terminal 3 (step S200), the acceptance screen for the translation request is displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3 (step S301). In step S301, on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3, for example, an acceptance screen 500 as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed. The acceptance screen 500 includes a first language specifying unit 501 for specifying a first language that is the source of translation, a second language specifying unit 502 for specifying a second language that is the destination of translation, a source text input unit 503 for inputting a text (source text) in the first language, a proficiency level specifying unit 504, and a translation execution button 505. Each of the first language specifying unit 501 and the second language specifying unit 502 can select one of a plurality of languages including Japanese and English, for example, by a pull-down menu. The proficiency level specifying unit 504 can select one of "no specification" and "1" to "X (X is an arbitrary integer)", for example, by a pull-down menu. The proficiency level specifying unit 504 may be selected (specified) from a specific proficiency level such as "Level 5 of the Eiken Test" or the like. In the source text input unit 503, a source text such as the source text 506 can be input by using a hardware keyboard or a software keyboard, or an input method using other input means (for example, voice input using a microphone). When a source text is input by a user operation on the acceptance screen 500, the first language, the second language, and the proficiency level are specified (step S302), and when the translation execution button 505 is pressed, the user terminal 3 transmits a translation request to the translation device 2 (step S303). In step S303, the control unit 300 of the user terminal 3 creates a translation request including the source text, the first language, the second language, and the proficiency level, and transmits the created translation request to the translation device 2 through the communication unit 340.

[0022] Upon receiving a translation request from user terminal 3, the control unit 200 of the translation device 2 translates the source text included in the translation request using the main translation database 211 (step S201). In step S201, the translation unit 202 of the control unit 200 refers to the main translation database 211 and translates (converts) the source text in the first language into a sentence in the second language using a well-known translation process that does not impose restrictions on the grammar and vocabulary available for translation according to proficiency level. After step S201, the control unit 200 (for example, the translation unit 202) determines whether the proficiency level in the translation request is "not specified" (step S202). If it is determined to be "not specified" (step S202; YES), the control unit 200 creates a translation result using the sentence in the second language translated in step S201 as the translation of the source text (step S206), and sends the created translation result to user terminal 3 (step S207). In step S206, the translation result creation unit 203 of the control unit 200 generates a translation result screen that includes, for example, the source text, the translated text for the source text, and the proficiency level in the translation request. The user terminal 3, which receives the translation result (translation result screen) from the translation device 2, displays the received translation result on the display unit 330 (step S304).

[0023] In contrast, if it is determined in step S202 that the proficiency level is not "not specified" (step S202; NO), the translation unit 202 of the control unit 200 refers to the translation tool corresponding to the proficiency level in the translation request (step S203) and determines whether the translated text (hereinafter also referred to as the "primary translation") translated in step S201 is appropriate for the proficiency level (step S204). In step S203, the control unit 200 searches, for example, the level-specific translation tools 212 shown in Figure 2 for syntax and words that can be used for the proficiency level in the translation request, and compares them with the syntax and words used in the primary translation. If the syntax and words used in the primary translation are only those that can be used for the proficiency level in the translation request, the control unit 200 determines that the translation is appropriate for the proficiency level. If the control unit 200 determines that the translated text is appropriate for the proficiency level (step S204; YES), it creates a translation result using the second language text (primary translation) translated in step S201 as the translation of the original text (step S206), and sends the created translation result to the user terminal 3 (step S207). If the control unit 200 determines that the translated text is not appropriate for the proficiency level (step S204; NO), it re-translates the second language text (primary translation) translated in step S201 to suit the proficiency level (step S205). In step S205, for example, the translation unit 202 of the control unit 200 converts the primary translation into a sentence using grammar and vocabulary usable at the proficiency level in the translation request within the level-based translation tool 212. Subsequently, the control unit 200 creates a translation result in which the second language text translated again in step S205 (hereinafter also referred to as the "secondary translation") is used as the translation of the original text (step S206), and transmits it to the user terminal 3 (step S207).

[0024] Thus, the translation device 2 according to one embodiment can transmit and present to the user terminal 3 a translated text in the second language (translated text) using grammar (syntax) and vocabulary usable at the proficiency level specified in the translation request from the user. For this reason, the translation device 2 according to one embodiment can present to the user (translation result) a translated text (translation result) that uses grammar and vocabulary that is easy for the user to understand, according to the proficiency level of the user (or other person) in the second language of the user terminal 3.

[0025] A first specific example of the translation process performed between the user terminal 3 and the translation device 2, following the sequence diagram in Figure 4, will be explained with reference to Figures 5A to 5D. The reception screen 500 in Figure 5A is displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3. The reception screen 500 in Figure 5A is an example of a reception screen when the user of the user terminal 3 is Japanese, and the Japanese notation on the reception screen 500 may be changed to another language (for example, English) by user operation, for example. On the reception screen 500, "Japanese" is specified in the first language specification unit 501 and "English" is specified in the second language specification unit 502. On the reception screen 500, the proficiency level specification unit 504 is set to "1". Proficiency level "1" may be, for example, the level of the Eiken Grade 5 exam range in the table in Figure 3A. In addition, the Japanese sentence (original text 506) "This ball is a ball that I bought with my mother at a department store." is entered into the original text input unit 503. When the reception screen 500 is in this state and the user presses the translate button 505, a translation request including the source text 506, information indicating that the translation is from Japanese to English, and proficiency level information indicating that the English proficiency level is "1" is sent from the user terminal 3 to the translation device 2 (step S303).

[0026] The control unit 200 of the translation device 2 receives a translation request from the user terminal 3 in the reception unit 201, and then the translation unit 202 uses the main translation database 211 to translate the source text 506 into a sentence in the second language (step S201). In step S201, the translation unit 202 generates a primary translation sentence 507 by translating the source text 506 into English based on the Japanese grammar and English grammar of the main translation database 211, for example, as shown in Figure 5B. Subsequently, the control unit 200 refers to the level-based translation tool 212 in the translation unit 202 to determine whether the grammar (e.g., syntax) and words used in the primary translation sentence 507 are only those grammar and words usable at proficiency level "1" (steps S203, S204). If the grammar and words are only those usable at proficiency level "1", the control unit 200 creates a translation result with the primary translation sentence 507 as the translation sentence for the source text 506 and sends it to the user terminal 3.

[0027] In contrast, if the primary translation 507 contains grammar or words that cannot be used at proficiency level "1", the control unit 200 of the translation device 2 generates a secondary translation 508 by re-translating the primary translation 507 using only grammar and words usable at proficiency level "1", as illustrated in Figure 5C, in the translation unit 202 (step S205). In step S205, the translation unit 202 may also perform a back-translation from the generated secondary translation 508 in the second language to a new sentence in the first language (Japanese). Subsequently, the control unit 200 creates translation result screen data in the translation result creation unit 203, which uses the secondary translation 508 as the translation of the original text 506, and transmits it to the user terminal 3. At this time, the translation result creation unit 203 may also create translation result screen 510 data that includes the secondary translation 508 and a back-translated text 509 obtained by back-translating the secondary translation 508 into the first language (Japanese), as illustrated in Figure 5D. The translation result screen 510 includes a source text display unit 511, a translation result display unit 512, and a confirmation button 513. The source text display unit 511 displays the source text 506 that was requested to be translated by the translation device 2. The translation result display unit 512 displays the secondary translation 508, which is a translation into a sentence in the second language using only the grammar and vocabulary available at the proficiency level "1" specified by the user, and the reverse translation 509, which is a translation from the secondary translation 508 into a new sentence in the first language. When the confirmation button 513 is pressed, for example, the display on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3 switches to the reception screen 500 shown in Figure 5A.

[0028] The primary translation 507 illustrated in Figure 5B may be a translation that is based on Japanese and English grammar, and is translated in a way that clarifies the relationship between words and phrases in the original Japanese text 506 (in other words, a literal translation). Therefore, depending on the content of the original text 506, the primary translation 507 may use advanced (difficult) grammar, or the phrases and clauses may become long, making it difficult to understand the grammatical relationships between phrases and clauses. Consequently, the primary translation 507 may be difficult for users with a low level of English proficiency to understand, potentially reducing their motivation to learn English. In contrast, the translation device 2 according to one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 5C and 5D, presents to the user a secondary translation 508 obtained by re-translating the primary translation 507 using grammar and vocabulary that is easy for users with a low level of English proficiency to understand, as the translation result for the original text 506. At this time, by presenting the user of the user terminal 3 with the secondary translation 508 and the back-translated text 509 obtained by back-translating the secondary translation 508 into a new sentence in the first language, the user can confirm whether the secondary translation 508 is an appropriate translation of the original text 506. Furthermore, by comparing the original text 506, the secondary translation 508, and the back-translated text 509, the user can learn, for example, what kind of sentence to input as the original text to produce an easily understandable translation.

[0029] The reception screen 500 in Figure 5A and the translation result screen 510 in Figure 5D are merely examples of reception and translation result screens displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3. The layout of each item on the reception and translation result screens can be changed as appropriate, and items not shown may also be included. For example, the translation result screen may be a screen in which the source text display unit 511 in the translation result screen 510 exemplified in Figure 5D is replaced with a source text input unit 503, and a first language specification unit 501, a second language specification unit 502, and a proficiency level specification unit 504 are added. When such a translation result screen is displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3, the user can rewrite the source text 506 on the translation result screen and send a new translation request to the translation device 2. For example, if the user finds the translation presented when a certain proficiency level is specified to be difficult, it is easy to lower the proficiency level and have the translation device 2 translate it again.

[0030] Referring to Figures 5A to 5D, in the example described above, a translation result screen 510 is displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3, which includes a secondary translation 508 that is different from the primary translation 507 corresponding to the original text 506, and a back translation 509 of the secondary translation 508. Therefore, if the user's English proficiency level on the user terminal 3 corresponds to "1" (for example, the level covered in the Eiken Grade 5 exam), the user can see a translation (secondary translation 508) that uses grammar (syntax) and vocabulary that the user already knows, making it easier to deepen their understanding of English. In addition, because the back translation 509 is displayed on the translation result screen 510, the user can understand the relationship between the original text and the translation (secondary translation 508) more deeply, making it easier to apply the translation results to the translation of other texts. Furthermore, if the user's English proficiency level on the user terminal 3 is high and the English proficiency level of the person the user is communicating with in English is low, the user can communicate using a translation that is easy for the other person to understand, tailored to their proficiency level.

[0031] If the proficiency level is set to a value other than "Not Specified" (1 to X, where X is any integer), it may be difficult to generate a secondary translation that corresponds to the original text using only the grammar and vocabulary available at the specified proficiency level. An example of translation processing in such a case will be explained with reference to Figures 6A to 6D. The reception screen 520 in Figure 6A is displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3. The reception screen 520 in Figure 6A is an example of a reception screen when the user of the user terminal 3 is Japanese, and the Japanese notation on the reception screen 520 may be changed to another language (e.g., English) by user operation, for example. In the reception screen 520, "Japanese" is specified in the first language specification unit 501, and "English" is specified in the second language specification unit 502. In the reception screen 520, the proficiency level specification unit 504 is set to "1". Proficiency level "1" may be, for example, the level of the Eiken Grade 5 exam scope in the table in Figure 3A. Furthermore, the original text input unit 503 has the Japanese sentence (original text 521) "If they practice every day, they will become better players." entered into it. When the user presses the translation execution button 505 while the reception screen 520 is in this state, a translation request including the original text 521, information indicating that the translation is from Japanese to English, and proficiency level information indicating that the English proficiency level is "1" is sent from the user terminal 3 to the translation device 2 (step S303).

[0032] The control unit 200 of the translation device 2 receives a translation request from the user terminal 3 in the reception unit 201, and then the translation unit 202 uses the main translation database 211 to translate the source text 521 into a sentence in the second language (step S201). In step S201, the translation unit 202 generates a primary translation sentence 522 by translating the source text 521 into English based on the Japanese grammar and English grammar of the main translation database 211, for example, as shown in Figure 6B. Subsequently, the control unit 200 refers to the level-based translation tool 212 in the translation unit 202 to determine whether the grammar (e.g., syntax) and words used in the primary translation sentence 522 are only those grammar and words usable at proficiency level "1" (steps S203, S204). If the grammar and words are only those usable at proficiency level "1", the control unit 200 creates a translation result with the primary translation sentence 522 as the translation sentence for the source text 521 and sends it to the user terminal 3.

[0033] In contrast, if the primary translation 522 contains grammar or words that cannot be used at proficiency level "1", the control unit 200 of the translation device 2 generates a secondary translation 523 by re-translating the primary translation 522 using only grammar and words usable at proficiency level "1" in the translation unit 202, as illustrated in Figure 6C (step S205). In step S205, the translation unit 202 may also perform a back-translation from the generated secondary translation 508 in the second language to a new sentence in the first language (Japanese). Subsequently, the control unit 200 creates translation result screen data in the translation result creation unit 203, which uses the secondary translation 523 as the translation of the original text 521, and transmits it to the user terminal 3. At this time, the translation result creation unit 203 may also create translation result screen 530 data that includes the secondary translation 523 and a back-translated text 524 obtained by back-translating the secondary translation 523 to the first language (Japanese), as illustrated in Figure 6D. In the data of the translation result screen 530 created by the translation result generation unit 203, phrases 514 and 515 from the source text 521 that do not have corresponding phrases in the secondary translation 523 may be highlighted. The translation result screen 530 includes a source text display unit 511, a translation result display unit 512, and a confirmation button 513. The source text display unit 511 displays the source text 521 that was requested to be translated by the translation device 2, and phrases 514 and 515 from the source text 521 that are not included in the translated text (secondary translation 523) displayed in the translation result display unit 512 are highlighted. The translation result display unit 512 displays the secondary translation 523, which is a translation into a sentence in the second language using only the grammar and vocabulary available at the proficiency level "1" specified by the user, and the back translation 524. When the confirmation button 513 is pressed, for example, the display on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3 switches to the reception screen 520 in Figure 6A.

[0034] The reception screen 520 in Figure 6A and the translation result screen 530 in Figure 6D are merely examples of the reception screen and translation result screen displayed on the display unit 330 of the user terminal 3. The layout of each item on the reception screen and translation result screen can be changed as appropriate, and items not shown may also be included. Furthermore, the source text 521 in Figure 6D, which includes the highlighted words 514 and 515, is merely an example of a third text created by the translation result creation unit 203, in which words not included in the second language text of the first text (source text) are highlighted on the display unit 330. The method for highlighting the words 514 and 515 not included in the translated text (secondary translation text 523) of the source text 521 on the translation result screen 530 is not limited to a specific method.

[0035] Referring to Figures 6A to 6D, in the translation process example described above, the user of user terminal 3 can see the translated text (secondary translation 523) using grammar (syntax) and vocabulary that the user knows, making it easier to deepen their understanding of English. Furthermore, since the reverse translation 524 is displayed in the translation result screen 530, the user can understand the relationship between the original text 521 and the translated text (secondary translation 523) more deeply, making it easier to apply the translation results to the translation of other texts. Moreover, in the translation result screen 530 illustrated in Figure 6D, words 514 and 515 from the original text 521 that do not appear in the translated text (secondary translation 523) are highlighted. Therefore, the user can learn, for example, how to structure the original text in order to create a translated text using grammar (syntax) and vocabulary that the user knows. In addition, if the user of user terminal 3 has a high level of English proficiency and the person with whom the user is communicating in a second language (English) has a low level of English proficiency, communication can be conducted using a translated text that is easy for the other person to understand, tailored to their level of proficiency.

[0036] The translation device 2 illustrated in the above-described embodiment is not limited to a translation device that translates Japanese sentences into English sentences. The translation device 2 may be capable of translating between two languages ​​selected from a plurality of languages, including Japanese, English, and other languages. The level-based translation tool 212 used by the translation device 2 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Figure 2. The level-based translation tool 212 may associate only the usable grammar with the proficiency level. For example, if the corresponding word in the translated sentence or word in the source sentence is highlighted when a word is selected on the translation result screen, the user can easily understand the meaning of difficult words included in the translated sentence. For this reason, the level-based translation tool 212 does not need to restrict the words that can be used for each proficiency level. The user terminal 3 may be capable of outputting the translated sentences displayed on the translation result screens 510 and 530 as audio. The translation device 2 is not limited to the learning support system 1 described above, but may also be applied to general translation services provided via the Internet.

[0037] Furthermore, the processing performed by the user terminal 3 and the translation device 2 as illustrated in the embodiment is not limited to the processing shown in the sequence diagram illustrated in Figure 4. For example, when the translation unit 202 of the translation device 2 translates the source text included in the translation request from the user terminal 3 by referring to the main translation database 211, it may use only the grammar and words available for translation that have been identified based on the proficiency level. Also, some or all of the functions described as being provided by the translation device 2 in the above embodiment may be functions provided by the user terminal 3. Similarly, some or all of the processing described as being performed by the translation device 2 in the above embodiment may be processing performed by the user terminal 3.

[0038] The embodiments described above are specific examples provided to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The information processing device as translation device 2, the translation system, the translation method using the information processing device, and the program can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 2…Translation device, 200…Control unit, 210…Storage unit, 201…Reception unit, 202…Translation unit, 203…Translation result creation unit, 211…Main translation database, 212…Level-based translation tool, 506…Original text, 508…Secondary translation

Claims

1. A translation means that, upon receiving a translation request including a first sentence in a first language, information specifying a second language different from the first language, and proficiency level information specifying the proficiency level of the grammar related to the second language, translates the first sentence into a sentence in the second language based on the translation request. The system comprises a translation result creation means that creates a text in the second language as a translation of the first text, The translation means translates the first text into a text in the second language using the grammar corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request. An information processing device characterized by the following:

2. The translation means further performs a back translation from the sentence in the second language to a new sentence in the first language. The translation result creation means creates a new sentence in the first language in addition to the sentence in the second language. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned proficiency level information specifies the proficiency level of vocabulary related to the second language, in addition to the grammar related to the second language. The translation means translates the first sentence into a second sentence using words corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned proficiency level information is either the year of study of the grammar related to the second language, or a qualification related to the second language. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The information processing device receives the translation request from a user terminal that is communicably connected to the information processing device, and transmits the text created by the translation result creation means to the user terminal. An information processing apparatus according to any one of the features 1 to 4.

6. The user terminal includes a display unit, A display control unit that causes the text created by the translation result creation means to be displayed on the display unit, Equipped with, The translation result creation means creates a third sentence which includes the first sentence, the new first language sentence, and the second language sentence, and further creates a third sentence in which words or phrases from the first sentence that are not included in the second language sentence are highlighted on the display unit. The information processing apparatus according to feature 2.

7. Includes a user terminal and an information processing device connected via a communication network, The aforementioned user terminal is A control means for creating a translation request, which includes a first sentence in a first language, information specifying a second language different from the first language, and proficiency level information specifying the grammatical proficiency level related to the second language. The system comprises communication means for transmitting the created translation request to the information processing device via the communication network, The aforementioned information processing device is A translation means for translating the first text into a text in the second language based on the translation request from the user terminal, A translation result creation means that creates a sentence in the second language as a translation of the first sentence, The system includes communication means for receiving the translation request from the user terminal and transmitting the translation result, including the text in the second language, to the user terminal. The translation means of the information processing device translates the first sentence into a sentence in the second language using a grammar corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request. A translation system characterized by the following features.

8. The computer of the information processing device, When a translation request is received that includes a first sentence in a first language, information specifying a second language different from the first language, and proficiency level information specifying the grammar proficiency level of the second language, a first process is performed to translate the first sentence into a sentence in the second language based on the translation request. The process involves creating a second sentence in the second language as a translation of the first sentence, and then performing the second process. The first process includes translating the first text into a text in the second language using a grammar corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request. A translation method characterized by the following:

9. In the computer of the information processing device When a translation request is received that includes a first sentence in a first language, information specifying a second language different from the first language, and proficiency level information specifying the grammar proficiency level of the second language, a first process is performed to translate the first sentence into a sentence in the second language based on the translation request. The system is configured to perform a second process, which involves creating a sentence in the second language as a translation of the first sentence, The first process includes translating the first text into a text in the second language using a grammar corresponding to the proficiency level information included in the translation request. A program characterized by the following features.

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