Translation On the Go with PSP Talkman

Sony's innovative translation software title for PSP hits Japan. New details and stuff inside.

Ever jumped on a plane to exciting foreign lands only to realise how cripplingly tough it can be if you don't speak the language? Sony has finished working on a title for PSP that could make all that a thing of the past.

Announced last year, Talkman for Sony's PSP handheld system is an innovative bit of software that borrows technology developed by ScanSoft and integrates into a portable release that not only translates for the user, but also trains them to learn the language for real.

Best of all, for those gamers who take gaming a bit seriously and find themselves jetting off to Japan all the time, the title supports English to Japanese, and Japanese to English - as well as Chinese (Mandarin) and Korean, which also translate either way with any of the other languages.

Talkman will turn your PSP into a translation and learning machine - and fortunately, it doesn't look like a ropey old textbook. Talkman's slick, game-like presentation looks fantastic on PSP's world-famous widescreen display, and an on-screen mascot - dodo-like bird character called Max - "interprets" for you.

The Talkman package includes a silver USB microphone that goes into the small USB slot on top of the PSP. Players have to set up their profile and tell the PSP what their own language is - choose English, and all the main menus and selection screens will be in English from that point onwards. After a couple of voice tests with Max, you should be able to get on with things, ideally with your mouth about 20cm from the microphone for best results.

While Talkman might not be the most effective communication tool in an emergency situation, you can keep a basic conversation going for some time - a great start for beginners (or no-hopers) of any of the included languages.

A variety of additional modes are also included, such as specifically themed modes for places like an airport or hotel, for shopping or eating out, along with a "Game Mode" with various tutoring games. They've also included some bonus tools like a units converter, alarm and voice memo features

Currently Talkman is only available in Japan and has to be bought at import stores like LikSang.com. However, official releases in European and American shops can't be far off; LikSang reports that Sony is currently working on including more familiar European languages like French, German, Spanish and Italian - maybe helping kids along in those tough school lessons (in between ten-lap races of Ridge Racer).

The import version can be bought for around $70/£40 and should definitely works on US/UK PSPs with no problems, but it might be advisable to wait for the (yet to be officially announced) European version, which seems likely for release some time next year.

Adam Doree
Kikizo.com