Abstract: Digital documents are pre-loaded with expressions of underlying data in a plurality of output languages. Expressions of the underlying data are alternatively presented to users to facilitate data collection and information transfer between people who do not share a common language.

Abstract: A translator made up of a pen-computer and set of translation forms. The translation forms are covered in computer-readable location data. Language names and common phrases are printed over the location data in standard text. The user points the pen-computer at the name of a language to select an output language, and then at a phrase to select an output phrase. The pen-computer, which is preloaded with audio files corresponding to each phrase, then plays a recording of the selected phrase in the appropriate language. The listener may then write a response to the phrase directly on the form.