Overcoming Language Barrier: The Use of Electronic Language Translating

Device as Tool for Communication in the Philippines

A Collegiate Research Project Study

University of Southeastern Philippines

Obrero, Davao City

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course

GE 111 – Purposive Communication

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

Major in Electronics Technology

ALFAIZAR U. AQUILAN

RUZEL GRACE L. DAYLUBO

MARVIN G. YUNSON

December 11, 2022

CHAPTER 1 3

Introduction 3

Multiculturalism in the Philippines 3

Language Diversity in the Philippines 4

Speech Translation Technology 5

Existing Electronic Language Translating Device 5

Research Gap 6

Purpose of the Study 6

Limitations and Delimitations 8

Operational Definition of Terms 9

Figure 1. Existing Electronic Language Translation Device 11

Design 1 12

Design 2 13

Design 3 14

Design 4 15

Design 5 16

Design 6 17

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 Design 7 18

Design 8 19

Design 9 20

Research Paradigm 21

Figure 2. Input-Process-Output Model 21

CHAPTER 2 22

Methodology 22

Study Participants 22

Materials and Instruments 23

Design and Procedure 24

Table 1. Criterion for Functionality and Efficiency 25

REFERENCES 26

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Language barriers occur when speakers of different languages or speakers with

varying levels of language proficiency cannot effectively communicate (Kumbakonam,

2016). As stated by Gonzales (2016), language and culture are significant facets of

society, thus, society wouldn't exist without them.

Multiculturalism in the Philippines

Multiculturalism, a phrase used to describe a society's multiple cultural or ethnic

groupings, is an undeniable reality (Gonzales, 2016). Nowadays, with the recent

developments in globalization, it is uncommon to find a society with just one culture,

whether in the East or the West; instead, one encounters a global melting pot of

cultures.

The Philippines, a nation in Southeast Asia renowned for its cultural diversity,

would be a prime example. A survey conducted by Asian Development Bank (2002)

reported that there are approximately 12 to 15 million native inhabitants in the country,

and there are about 170 different ethnic and cultural groups.

In reference to Parekh’s (2000) analysis, Philippines is multicultural not only

because there are numerous civilizations there, but also because various cultures

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coexist in society in a typically peaceful way. It is one of the many countries where

multiculturalism is widely and favorably embraced.

Language Diversity in the Philippines

The diversity of the languages spoken in the Philippines can therefore be

attributed to the varied cultural backgrounds of its citizens. Mahadi and Jafari (2012)

backed this up, who, in their study, emphasized how there is a reciprocal relationship

between language and culture and how each has an impact on the other.

A wide variety of languages and dialects are unavoidable in the midst of a

melting pot of civilizations. Lewis, Simons, and Fennig (2014) stated that the Philippines

is home to 185 indigenous and non-indigenous languages, and certain languages

appear to be more prominent than others. The Philippine government officially

recognizes eight major languages: Tagalog, Bikolano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilokano,

Kapampangan, Pangasinense, and Waray (Country Reports, 2020 & Postan, 2020).

The national language of the Philippines is Tagalog, one of the country's major

languages. Despite opposition, it is endorsed by a Philippine government (Art. XIV, Sec.

6 1986 Constitution) constitutional directive based on native and foreign languages, with

the aim of unifying the country through a single language and making it the national

language (Rubrico, 1998).

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Speech Translation Technology

The global, borderless economy has made it critically important for speakers of

different languages to be able to communicate. Humanity has long wished for speech

translation technology, which would allow people to talk and have their words instantly

translated into another person's language (Nakamura, 2008).

Speech translation technology consists of three separate technologies:

technology to recognize speech (speech recognition); technology to translate the

recognized words (language translation); and technology to synthesize speech in the

other person’s language (speech synthesis).

Existing Electronic Language Translating Device

There are numerous electronic translating devices available in the market. They

differ in terms of system, type, connectivity, capacity, and design. Some supports two-

way communication, others oppose so. Some are handheld, while others are hands-

free, notably in the form of in-earbuds. Some can be used without Wi-Fi or internet

connection, others need to. There are also some devices that support Bluetooth

technology, and photo translation.

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Research Gap

Numerous electronic translating devices have been introduced to the world

market today. The significant growth in language translating devices is attributed to the

increase in travel and tourism activities, including vacations and leisure travel (Report

Buyer, 2019). However, careful study revealed that there were no commercial

translating devices that focused solely on Philippine languages. As a result, researchers

devised this study, which aims develop an electronic language translating device that

focuses on Philippine languages.

Purpose of the Study

In reference to the existing translation devices in the global market today, the

researchers intend to adapt the characteristics and designs of such devices and

produce an Electronic Language Translating Device that supports 9 languages, notably

the 8 primary languages spoken in the Philippines, as well as English.

The device will undergo pilot testing to assess its effectiveness in terms of

functionality and efficiency. After analyzing the collected data, the findings of this study

should be able to answer the question;

1. How effective is the developed Electronic Language Translating Device in

terms of its:

a. Efficiency

b. Functionality

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 Various studies internationally have claimed that electronic translating devices

have been of great help in achieving effective communication in different sectors;

medical, educational, business, tourism and hospitality industry.

According to a study conducted by Albrecht, Chen, and Guo (2019), language

translation has been identified as a potential way to improve communication between

patients and staff in health care settings when used as an adjunct to professional

interpreters.

Lewis (2019) also reported that a parent liaison at a school district in

Pennsylvania claimed that translation devices have the potential to improve many

parents' relationships with their children's schools by providing simultaneous

interpretation to parents whose first language is not English, as not understanding what

is being said and the embarrassment of having to ask for a translator often causes

these parents to decide not to get involved with the school.

Matsuda (2018), a businessman and CEO of SOURCENEXT, stated that

language translation technology assists businesses in entering a foreign market. He

also added that it is impossible for a person to be an expert in every language and

culture, thus, people need to develop a global mindset that, with translation technology,

takes market integration another step further.

Kuroda (2019), also an executive of SOURCENEXT, said that translation devices

can help improve the customer experience in the tourism and hospitality industries,

particularly when checking in and out of hotels, ordering meals for room service or in the

restaurant, and purchasing goods from the souvenir shop. He also mentioned that it can

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give staffs the tools they need to communicate effectively and confidently while serving

guests.

These facts lead to the assumption that conducting this study will have positive

effects on many local and global facets of society.

Limitations and Delimitations

The study will use developmental research design, and adapt a purposive

heterogenous sampling technique. Although there are certain advantages to this sort of

sampling strategy, downsides are also evident. According to Dudovskiy (2022),

purposive sampling; is vulnerable to errors in judgment by researcher, has low level of

reliability and high levels of bias, and is unable generalize research findings. Thus,

making study participants sample size limited.

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Operational Definition of Terms

Bluetooth

A specification for wirelessly connecting mobile phones, PCs, and other electrical

devices across short distances.

Connectivity

Capacity to link systems or software applications in which do not need to

undergo many changes in order to make these connections.

Hands-free

Characteristic of devices that is designed to be operated without using the hands.

Language barrier

A barrier to communication between those who do not speak the same language

Language Diversity

A term used to describe the differences between languages and how people

communicate with one another

Language translation

Process of transforming written words from one language into another in a

culturally and linguistically acceptable manner so that they may be understood by

their intended audience

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Multiculturalism

The state of a society in which there are several unique ethnic and cultural

groups

Photo translation

Usage of camera technology to translate text, handwritten notes or signs.

Real-time

Actual time during which a process or event occurs

Speech translation

A machine or program that is able to recognize and transform words spoken

aloud into legible text

Two-way Communication

Messaging systems in which two parties exchange information to one another.

Wi-fi

Short form for Wireless Fidelity, a form of wireless networking that offers wireless

high-speed Internet access using radio waves.

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 Figure 1. Existing Language Translator Devices

Docooler Intelligent MOGOI Smart Pocketalk Language

Umiwe Smart ili Instant Offline Lincom Language

WT2 Language Google Pixel Pilot Translating

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 DESIGN 1

Device Name: Docooler Intelligent Language Translator

Manufactured by: Shenzhen TOMTOP Technology Co., Ltd.

Description

This language translator provides two-way communication with precise speech

recognition and understandable pronunciation. When connected to WiFi, the device

supports both offline and online translation. It supports up to 41 languages through real-

time interlanguage translation.

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 DESIGN 2

Device Name: MOGOI Smart Language Translator

Manufactured by: MOGOI Company

Description

This device supports dialects and smart photo translation. More than 40 languages are

supported, including German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese,

Russian, Arabic, and Armenia. It also uses noise reduction technology to make it simple

to deal with all types of noisy environments.

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 DESIGN 3

Device Name: Pocketalk Language Translator

Manufactured by: SOURCENEXT Corporation

Description

This two-way language translator recognized 74 languages from 133 countries,

including several Spanish, Chinese, and English dialects. It recognizes jargon, slang

terms, and profanities, making it more accurate. The user can choose whether to speak

or text the translation.

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 DESIGN 4

Device Name: Umiwe Smart Language Translation Device

Manufactured by: Shenzhen Umiwe Technology Co., Ltd

Description

This translation device recognizes, interprets, and speaks out the translation findings

with 99% accuracy. This ingenious photo translation tool allows for real-time translation

in up to 40 languages and two-way translation in up to 40 languages.

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 DESIGN 5

Device Name: ili Instant Offline Translator

Manufactured by: Logbar Inc.

Description

This device offers offline translation. It has been programmed with popular travel

phrases and words, which it quickly translates into one of three languages: Spanish,

Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. It will not, however, translate any of those languages

back to English.

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 DESIGN 6

Device Name: Lincom Language Translator Device

Manufactured by: Lincom Tech

Description

The device recognizes 138 languages and will translate them in real-time. It is also a

two-way translation, and has photo translation. It also allows the user to translate 14

languages offline. This translator has a screen, so it will both show and say translations.

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 DESIGN 7

Device Name: WT2 Language Translator

Manufactured by: Timekettle Co.

Description

The device is an in-earbud type, comes with two wireless earpieces that translates in

real time. It supports offline translation, and has 40 different languages, including

Arabic, Greek, and Cantonese. It also recognizes 93 different accents and has a

translation accuracy of 95%. This device has a touch and speak mode that you can

select which allows the user to speak and have the translator repeat the translation

aloud so that multiple people can hear.

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 DESIGN 8

Device Name: Google Pixel Buds

Manufactured by: Google LLC

Description

This is a pair of wireless earbuds that offer real-time translation in the ear as well as

hands-free assistance from the Google Assistant. The Google Pixel Buds can translate

more than 35 languages with the help of the Google Translate app on the Google Pixel

or Pixel 2 phone.

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 DESIGN 9

Device Name: Pilot Translating Earpiece

Manufactured by: WaverlyLab Company

Description

This is an in-ear type of device. It comes with free access to French, Italian,

Portuguese, Spanish, along with English. And users can purchase additional languages,

including Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, German, Greek, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Polish,

Russian, Turkish.

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Research Paradigm

The diagram depicts the research paradigm of the study, IPO model. It

represents the course of action in conducting the study. The statements stipulated are

approaches on how things should be wrapped up. It also addresses the development

process of the study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Designs and Ideas

from Existing Designing and

Products Developing Designed and

Developed

Integration of the Testing Electronic Language

Selected Languages Translating Device

Revising

Related Literature

Figure 2. Input-Process-Output Model

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 CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

Study Participants

A purposive sampling approach, also known as judgement sampling, will be

utilized in this study, particularly heterogeneous sampling, in which the researcher uses

their sound judgement to choose a sample that will be most helpful to the study’s

objective. McCombes (2019) stated that an effective purposive sampling method must

have clear criteria and rationale for inclusion and exclusion.

The study will be conducted across the Mindanao region, wherein people who

are able to speak the 8 major languages in the Philippines (Tagalog, Bikolano,

Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, and Waray), with the

inclusion of English language, is evident. Fernando (2021) stated that Cebuano and

Hiligaynon are two of the most widely spoken languages in Mindanao. Some

Kapampangan has also formed minority communities, specifically in South Cotabato

province, particularly in General Santos City (Collegium, 2021). Due to the proximity of

the geographical locations, Waray, Ilokano, Bikolano, and Pangasinense are also

spoken in some areas of Mindanao.

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 The following criteria will be used to determine study participants using the

sampling technique;

 Filipino nationality

 Lives in any part of Mindanao region

 Ages 18 – 30 years old

 Able to speak one of the 9 languages; English, Tagalog, Bikolano, Cebuano,

Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, and Waray

The researchers will identify a total of 45 study participants, specifically, 5

participants per language to represent every category.

Materials and Instrument

According to Jones, Baxter, and Khanduja (2013), survey questionnaires are

very useful tool that allow data to be assessed with relative ease. Thus, the study will

make use of survey questionnaire as an instrument in gathering data.

The study aims to test the effectiveness of the developed device in terms of its

functionality and efficiency, thus, questions will be derived from these factors. There will

be 15 questions to test the device’s functionality, 15 questions for efficiency. Following

the formulation of the questionnaire, it will then be validated by the evaluators, who are

professors from the College of Technology faculty, particularly those with expertise in

the field of electronics. The validation stage is crucial to ensure that the questionnaire is

psychometrically sound (Tsang, Royse, Terkawi, 2017).

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Design and Procedure

Developmental research design is a systematic study of designing, developing

and evaluating instructional programs, processes and products that must meet criteria

of internal consistency and effectiveness. The most common types of developmental

research involve situations in which the product-development process is analyzed and

described, and the final product is evaluated. This design comes in three different types,

of which one type focuses on a general analysis of either design development or

evaluation processes as they relate to any specific component (Ritchey, 1994). This

type of design is appropriate for this study as it aims to develop and design a product,

and later test its effectiveness, in terms of functionality and efficiency.

In conducting the study, certain data gathering procedures will be followed. The

questionnaire will first be validated by the evaluators from the College of Technology

faculty. The instrument will be submitted to trial and error until a final questionnaire is

produced. The researchers will seek approval from the authorities of the College of

Technology to carry out performance evaluation of the project. If approved, they will

then request consent from the chosen participants in order to conduct the study. Upon

permission, study participants will be subjected to the pilot testing of the developed

electronic language translating device. Each participant will be given 30 to 60 minutes to

test the device. Following testing, the formulated questionnaires will be distributed to

them for evaluation. Questionnaires will be retrieved for data analysis and interpretation.

Descriptive measures will be utilized to interpret the data collected, by the

presence of frequency counting, percentages, and weighted mean. In justifying the

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interpretation of participant’s evaluation, a criterion is provided that serves as basis and

support.

Table 1. Criterion for functionality and efficiency

Qualitative Interpretation Qualitative Interpretation

4.21 – 5.00 Highly Functional Highly Efficient

3.41 – 4.20 Functional Efficient

2.61 – 3.40 Moderately Functional Moderately Efficient

1.81 – 2.60 Slightly Functional Slightly Efficient

1.00 – 1.80 Not Functional Not Efficient

Mean will be calculated and the weighted average will be interpreted to

determine the equivalence of the responses that will be made.

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