Abstract: The disclosure is a technique to automatically generate AWK code from English text for monitoring text streams and executing actions when predefined patterns are matched. The English to AWK Translator in ITM can translate English keywords and data into executable AWK programs. Since text steams from a modem port can be monitored the same way as a file, it is possible to monitor telephone switches with the AWK programs generated by the Translator. With an automated monitor system like the Ineractive Text Monitor, telephony engineers will free themselves of expensive and boring babysitting sessions when they monitor switches looking for problems to occur.