Unlike the simple 26-letter English alphabet, the Chinese written language combines an artistic beauty of shape with the complex expression of meaning to produce an ideographic script that presents major obstacles to computer engineers. Early Chinese computers did not operate on a direct-line sequence of input-process output, but rather involved a transfer stage which hampered the speed of the final output. Previously, one page of input information (Chinese) would take 4.8 seconds before it was processed and lit up on the monitor screen. Intense experimentation and development has revolutionized this process and presently there are some exceptional new computer models boasting rapid handling of Chinese language input.

IBM, a world leader in computer production, recently introduced its model 5550 Chinese computer on the market. To ensure faster speed of processing it has been designed to store l,000 commonly used characters directly in its hardware system. Sertek international Incorporated, whose computer division Multitech is one of the domestic leaders in computer production, announced a stunning breakthrough with its "fourth generation" Chinese computers. Installed with an innovative memory part called the ROM, this unique model's (DCS-570) display speed can reach 30,000 characters per second, unprecedented in the field of Chinese computers. This advancement allows ideographic languages to be expressed in a text mode, thus representing a major step forward in the computerization of non-European languages.

Hsu Wen-hsing a professor at National Tsing Hua University voiced speculation about the nature of the "fifth generation" of computers. The first four generational developments in the Chinese computer have been designed around the input keyboard. Looking to the future, professor Hsu suggests that we shall see the emergence of computer systems which are able to understand voice patterns or actually read input information. If this were to emerge as an input trend, then future design may not necessarily utilize the standard operative keyboard. The Chinese, being traditionally used to handwriting characters, may see the development of computer recognition of handwritten characters. The difficulties in developing such a system are evident: computer recognition of poorly written characters and the simplification of complex characters are imposing obstacles for designers. Perhaps the day will come when we will all be equipped with individual computers programmed to recognize the operator's character script, not unlike having a personal secretary.

Voice operated input also raises some intriguing possibilities. Subject to both environmental (location, situation) and internal (emotional mood) factors, the human voice frequently changes in terms of tone and pitch. It would therefore be exceedingly difficult for a computer to be successfully adaptive to such variables. Even in the United States and Japan where computer research has ventured into this new frontier, there is still a great deal of experimentation to be done before such a computer could be marketed.

Chinese, because of its tonal nature may prove easier to adapt to a voice input system. Li Ling-shan, a noted professor says although this theoretically seems plausible, people speak in sentences which produce a combination of sounds. Chinese also presents the problem of having many homonyms which would make it extremely unlikely that the computer would be able to identify the correct meaning. Li, while pointing out that this is still an experimental project, does foresee a day when computers will be able to hold enough sophisticated knowledge to carry on discussions with operators.

Jack Kai-Tung Huang, professor and director of the department of computer science at Ming Chuan College says that the keyboard input, having been successfully incorporated into the first four generations of Chinese computers, will not necessarily be eliminated in the future. According to test result statistics from the school's secretarial courses, the fastest average speed of handwriting was 28 words per minute, while an experienced keypunch operator can average 50 words per minute. This advantage makes the keyboard a popular mode, and at present there are 22 different types of input keyboards available on the market. Competition ensures a Darwinian effect, with only the most popular brands successfully staying in demand.

The development of a Chinese computer system, while limited in its international application is definitely an important breakthrough with far-reaching implications. K'e Chih-sheng, assistant director of the Institute for Information Industry points out that a comprehensive Chinese computer system is crucial to the improvement and successful drive for increased domestic production. Furthermore, Chinese is one of the world's most structurally complex ideographic languages. Successful development of a complete computer system would open the door for the future development of computers for other similar languages.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

Computer recognition of handwritten Chinese script first involves breaking the character into its constituent root parts before the computer can identify it.

1,2. Professor Hsu Wen-hsing of National Tsing Hua University is involved in computer recognition of Chinese character forms. His research not only involves work with handwritten Chinese characters but also includes computer fingerprint identification. 3. In order for the computer to operate in a given function it must be outfitted with the proper software equipment. Pictured is a computer operator holding disks.

1. Hou Ch'ing-hsiung, general manager of Mitac Computers points out that as long as Chinese computers are on line in the same function they do not necessarily have to use the same input method. 2. Shih Chen-jung (right), general manager of Sertek International Incorporated is seen explaining the many functions of the company's newest "fourth generation of Chinese computers."

1,2. Professor Hsu Wen-hsing of National Tsing Hua University is involved in computer recognition of Chinese character forms. His research not only involves work with handwritten Chinese characters but also includes computer fingerprint identification.

1,2. Professor Hsu Wen-hsing of National Tsing Hua University is involved in computer recognition of Chinese character forms. His research not only involves work with handwritten Chinese characters but also includes computer fingerprint identification.

3. In order for the computer to operate in a given function it must be outfitted with the proper software equipment. Pictured is a computer operator holding disks.

1. Hou Ch'ing-hsiung, general manager of Mitac Computers points out that as long as Chinese computers are on line in the same function they do not necessarily have to use the same input method.

2. Shih Chen-jung （right）, general manager of Sertek International Incorporated is seen explaining the many functions of the company's newest "fourth generation of Chinese computers.".