Method and apparatus for generating multilingual transcription groups

A method for generating a group of transcriptions suitable for use in a speech processing device, the method comprising:

• providing a vocabulary item;
• processing the vocabulary item to derive a characteristic from the vocabulary item allowing division of a pool of available languages into a first sub-group and a second sub-group, the vocabulary item manifesting a higher probability of belonging to any one of the languages in the first sub-group than belonging to any language in the second sub-group;
• processing the vocabulary item to generate a group of transcriptions, the group of transcriptions being characterized by the absence of at least one transcription belonging to a language in the second sub-group of languages established for the vocabulary item;
• storing the group of transcriptions in a format suitable for use by a speech processing device.

An apparatus for generating a group of transcriptions suitable for use in a speech processing device, the apparatus comprising:

• an input for receiving a signal conveying data representative of a vocabulary item;
• a processing unit coupled to the input, the processing unit operable for:
• processing the vocabulary item to derive a characteristic from the vocabulary item allowing division of a pool of available languages into a first sub-group and a second sub-group, the vocabulary item manifesting a higher probability of belonging to any one of the languages in the first sub-group than belonging to any language in the second sub-group, and
• processing the vocabulary item to generate a group of transcriptions, the group of transcriptions characterized by the absence of at least one transcription belonging to a language in the second sub-group of languages established for the vocabulary item;
• and
• an output coupled to the processing unit for releasing a signal representative of the group of transcriptions.

An apparatus for generating a group of transcriptions suitable for use in a speech processing device, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving data elements representative of a vocabulary item;
• means for processing the vocabulary item to derive a characteristic from the vocabulary item allowing division of a pool of available languages into a first sub-group and a second sub-group, the vocabulary item manifesting a higher probability of belonging to any one of the languages in the first sub-group than belonging to any language in the second sub-group;
• means for processing the vocabulary item to generate a group of transcriptions, the group of transcriptions characterized by the absence of at least one transcription belonging to a language in the second sub-group of languages established for the vocabulary item;
• and
• means for releasing the group of transcriptions in a format suitable for use by a speech processing device.