Cross-language search query evaluation and translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users speaking less commonly used languages may find relevant information scarce in their native language due to the disparity in web page content, with many pages in popular languages like English providing more accurate and updated information, but not being accessible due to language barriers.
Innovation Solution
A cross-language searching system that evaluates original search queries and their translated counterparts, determining which produces more relevant results based on relevance scores and translation confidence, and serves search results accordingly, including both original and translated content to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users search in their native language (less commonly used language), then they can access information in their own language, but the quantity and quality of relevant search results are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses translation technology as an intermediary to bridge the gap between the user's native language and the dominant language (English) where most information exists. The system translates the user's query into English, performs the search, and presents results in the user's language, thereby accessing the abundant English-language content while maintaining language accessibility for the user.
2Quantity of substance
If users search in English or dominant languages, then they can access abundant and high-quality information, but they cannot access it due to language barriers
Solution Approach 1:
Translation serves as the intermediary mechanism that allows users to access English-language content without needing to understand English. The system translates queries outward to English and results inward to the user's language, eliminating the language barrier while preserving access to abundant English-language information.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to learn or switch to dominant languages to access information, the system inverts the approach by bringing the dominant language content to the user's language. The search process goes outward in English but the results come back inward in the user's native language.
3Quantity of substance
If the system performs cross-language search by translating queries, then users can access relevant information in other languages, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The search system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both monolingual and cross-language searches. The same system infrastructure supports multiple languages and search modes, reducing the need for separate systems for each language pair and thereby managing complexity while providing universal access.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a cross-language search can be performed. A search query is received in a first language. A translated search query of the search query is obtained and evaluated to determine whether it is a candidate for cross-language searching. Upon identifying a candidate, a search can be performed using the translated search query to generate search results relevant to the translated search query.