Speech You Can Count On

Vicsgames, an educational software service company, developed 12N to offer a multilingual numbers and currencies translator that doubles as a learning tool. It uses a digit-to-text-to-speech feature to facilitate the comprehension, understanding, and mastering of numbers in many languages.

"The natural instinct when seeing digits is to read them in your mother tongue," explains Jack Amberg, owner and director of Vicsgames, "but being agile with numbers in a foreign language is the real proof of fluency. We wanted to develop an app that was useful for most people but went beyond simple translation to also serve as a learning device. This is a truly multilingual app that can be used anywhere from Albania to Zimbabwe." 

The 12N app uses a combination of oral and visual options to enable users to learn numbers and currencies intuitively. The first option let’s them type a figure using the keypad. The result is displayed in text and in phonetics, and the size of the text can be adjusted at any time to suit different needs. The listening icon tells them how to pronounce it with a native accent, and the recording tool enables them to practice saying it. Tapping the listening icon again lets them hear how their pronunciation compares with the original.

The second option involves a little test to practice oral recognition. The app speaks a number at random and gives the user three attempts to write it correctly. For example, if the language selected is French and the recording says "deux mille onze," the user should type 2011 using the keypad. After the third incorrect attempt, the app will display the correct answer.

The third option is the currency converter, which uses daily updated exchange rates. The app converts amounts from one currency to another, and pronounces the results in the language of choice.

"The app is especially useful in countries where several languages are spoken, such as Belgium and Switzerland, as you can switch from one language to another by simply tapping a flag," Amberg says. 

12N is primarily designed for educational purposes. Teachers can motivate students of all ages to learn numbers in the language they are studying by practicing with 12N. The app can also help children learn numbers in their own language.

12N is currently available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Android Market or by visiting http://12N.com. The first language is free, and other languages can be purchased for around $2. New languages are regularly added to the app for immediate access.