Abstract: A method of teaching a set of indicia as representations of language sounds by associating each symbol with an event, or phonetic phenomenon, which produces the sound. In this manner, the sounds are presented in isolation rather than as an element of the oral form of a word. In addition to the combination of sound, event and symbol, the method uses a distinct gesture with each sound to ensure the proper articulation of that sound and to allow the student to become an active participant in the event. The method allows the student to acquire a set of symbols to represent language sounds without requiring the separation of an individual sound from a word. Instead, soniferous events are used to allow the student to make a meaningful connection between each symbol and the sound it represents.

Abstract: A portable electronic language interpreter includes an alphabetical keyboard for entering a particular Japanese word therein using a system of alphabetized Japanese. A retrieval circuit is responsive to the alphabetical keyboard for causing access of a memory containing a plurality of translated English words equivalent to a plurality of Japanese words. A decoder is provided for converting the alphabetized Japanese word into a word in the Japanese "Katakana" language equivalent thereto. A voice synthesizer is provided which generates an audible pronunciation of the input Japanese word. A display is connected to the alphabetical keyboard and the retrieval circuit and decoder for displaying the alphabetized Japanese word, the word represented in the Japanese "Katakana" language, and the translated English word. In a specific form of the present invention, the memory contains at least one pair of translated English words both having a meaning identical to the input Japanese word.

Abstract: The present invention is an educational aid for the teaching of different spellings for each of at least two vowel sounds. It comprises a board marked with the common symbol for each of the vowel sounds. In a circular indentation wedge-shaped pieces are housed, each piece having a spelling for one of the vowel sounds marked thereon. One surface of each piece is colored with the color which exists around the marking of its vowel sound on the board. The other side of each piece is similarly marked but not colored.

Abstract: A phonetic language translation method for translating a word of any one of various languages into a simplified graphically expressed phonetically correct translation of such word so as to convey the proper pronunciation of such word to a reader. The method comprises the steps of eliminating all silent alphabetic characters, or combinations of characters, and representing all alphabetic characters, or combinations of characters, of the word which phonetically express the traditional speech sound of a single alphabetic character with such single alphabetic character. Representing all alphabetic characters and combinations of characters which phonetically express the alphabetic character name of a single alphabetic character with that single alphabetic character coded with a preselected coding symbol. Representing a speech sound expressing neither the traditional sound of an alphabetic character, or the alphabetic character name of a given character, with a preselected coded translation character.

Abstract: Automated spelling correction converts, by prescribed linguistic procedures, each word to be corrected to a skeleton, and compares that skeleton with a data base of skeletons derived by identical linguistic procedures from a dictionary of correctly spelled words. In the event of a match between the two skeletal terms, the correctly spelled word (or words) associated with the matched skeleton is presented for replacement of the misspelled word. In the event the comparison does not yield a correct match, the skeletal form of the misspelled word is repeatedly modified and each modified form is compared with the data base of skeletons.

Abstract: A text inputting device includes a keyboard for inputting a string of characters of a first kind by keying keys and a first device for displaying characters of a second kind corresponding to the character string supplied from the keyboard as candidate characters and selecting a desired character of the second kind from the candidate characters for supplying it to a processor. A second device is also provided for reading a character of the second kind corresponding to a mnemonic code in the character string supplied from the keyboard for supplying it to the processor. In order to determine whether the first or second device is used, a selection switch is provided for selectively activating the first or the second device when a character of the second type is to be inputted. Further, to assist in teaching the mnemonic code, when the first device is selected, either visual or oral correspondence is provided between the selected candidate character and its corresponding mnemonic code.

Abstract: A spelling game in which words are randomly selected from a storage device and spelled by one or more players. The words are subdivided according to difficulty. A first player selects a difficulty level and a word is randomly selected from the appropriate section of storage. The word is pronounced and defined by a second player. The first player then spells the word. Other players may then contest the spelling and spell the word. Points appropriate to the difficulty level are added to the score of players who correctly spell the word and are subtracted from the score of players who incorrectly spell the word. The process is repeated with each player having an opportunity to be the first speller.

Abstract: An electronic language interpreter, for enabling that a specific word in a first language be entered to obtain an equivalent translated word in a second language includes a memory specifying circuit for specifying each memory of a plurality of first memories for storing words written in the first language and second memories for storing translated words written in the second language. One of the first memories and one of the second memories both specified by the memory specifying circuit generate pairs of words including one of the words and its corresponding one of the translated word, respectively. A mode selector may be provided for selectively placing the language interpreter in an interpreter mode or in a mode wherein it functions as an electronic language learning aid for enabling that the plurality of translated words be sequentially retrieved from one of the second memories selected by the memory specifying circuit.

Abstract: An instructional and recreational device with means for producing a drawing, means for simultaneously developing ability in spatial relations and numerical or alphabetical usage. The device is a self-contained system including writing implements, game components, and writing surfaces. A plurality of variously shaped game boards are provided with variously shaped apertures therein for receiving complementarily-shaped element blocks having numbers, letters, or the like thereon. By placing a block in an appropriate aperture, a user may develop his spatial relations skills while increasing recognition of language symbols. The device also has means for drawing or writing, including a blackboard and a continuous, rolled supply of drawing paper.

Abstract: A machine for teaching students to read is equipped with a visual display, a manual keyboard for entering alphabet letter responses, correctness and incorrectness indicators of display responses, and conditioning means for initiating particular grammar characteristic sequences to be practiced. The machine also includes a repertoire of words and letter combinations corresponding to word roots encoded in an electronic form and stored in digital memory. A word set is assembled in response to an instruction from the conditioning means concerning the word structure characteristic sequence to be practiced. Words or word roots are selected at random from the assembled word set for display or partial display. The student, through the keyboard,is thereby able to identify particular vowels and consonants, long and short vowel sounds, soft and hard consonant sounds, determine the number of syllables in a word, identify misspelled words, supply missing letters, and identify words as to their grammatical parts of speech.