Universal Translators- Not Just Science Fiction
Shows like Star Trek have spoiled us into lusting after "universal translators" for years. And who can blame us? Imagine a device that could take incoming dialog and translate it into any language on the fly. We're not quite there yet but police and fire departments have already begin using language translation gadgets for interactions with people they may have difficulty understanding.
These gadgets allow the user the ability to select from a wide variety of preprogrammed statements or questions relating to a variety of situations encountered by law enforcement and emergency personnel. The selected communication is then translated aloud into whichever language the user chooses.
Of course, unlike the science fiction translators of yore, these units are unable to translate unique replies (hence two-way conversation across language barriers isn't possible) but for public servants, such technology will not only make their jobs easier but safer as well.
