Machine translation method for performing translation between languages

1. A machine translation method comprising:

receiving a translation-source sentence in a first language via a microphone that receives a voice input from a user, or receive the translation-source sentence via a text input device that receives a text input from the user;

generating a plurality of different forward-translated sentences resulting from translation of the received translation-source sentence into a second language;

generating a backward-translated sentence group that is a collection of at least one backward-translated sentence generated for each of the plurality of different forward-translated sentences, each backward-translated sentence being obtained by backward-translating one of the plurality of different forward-translated sentences into the first language;

determining into which of an interrogative form, an affirmative form, a negative form, and an imperative form each of the at least one backward-translated sentence included in the backward-translated sentence group is classified;

selecting one or more backward-translated sentences of the at least one backward-translated sentence in the backward-translated sentence group, based on the classified forms; and

outputting a specific forward translated sentence, upon receiving an operation of the user for selecting one of the one or more backward-translated sentences during output of the one or more backward-translated sentences on an information output device, the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user.

2. The machine translation method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

changing an output form of the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user in accordance with which of voice information via the microphone and text information via the text input device is received as the translation-source sentence.

3. The machine translation method according to claim 2 ,

wherein the information output device has a speaker, a display, and a processor; and

wherein the method further comprises:

outputting, when the translation-source sentence is received via the microphone, the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user via the speaker; and

outputting, when the translation-source sentence is received via the text input device, the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user via the display.

4. The machine translation method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the information output device has a processor and a display; and

wherein the method further comprises:

displaying the one or more backward-translated sentences in a first area on the display; and

displaying the translation-source sentence in a second area on the display, the second area being different from the first area.

5. The machine translation method according to claim 4 , further comprising:

displaying, in a third area on the display, the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user.

6. The machine translation method according to claim 5 , further comprising:

displaying the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user in a direction different from a direction of the one or more backward-translated sentences displayed in the first area.

7. The machine translation method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the one or more backward-translated sentences include at least two backward-translated sentences classified into the respective different forms.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing a computer program,

the computer program causing the processor to execute operations including:

receiving a translation-source sentence in a first language via a microphone that receives a voice input from a user, or receive the translation-source sentence via a text input device that receives a text input from the user;

generating a plurality of different forward-translated sentences resulting from translation of the received translation-source sentence into a second language;

generating a backward-translated sentence group that is a collection of at least one backward-translated sentence generated for each of the plurality of different forward-translated sentences, each backward-translated sentence being obtained by backward-translating one of the plurality of different forward-translated sentences into the first language;

determining into which of an interrogative form, an affirmative form, a negative form, and an imperative form each of the at least one backward-translated sentence included in the backward-translated sentence group is classified;

selecting one or more backward-translated sentences of the at least one backward-translated sentence in the backward-translated sentence group, based on the classified forms;

outputting a specific forward translated sentence, upon receiving an operation of the for selecting one of the one or more backward-translated sentences during output of the one or more backward-translated sentences on the information output device, the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user.

9. A non-transitory recording medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program causing a processor to execute operations comprising:

receiving a translation-source sentence in a first language via a microphone that receives a voice input from a user, or receive the translation-source sentence via a text input device that receives a text input from the user;

generating a plurality of different forward-translated sentences resulting from translation of the received translation-source sentence into a second language;

generating a backward-translated sentence group that is a collection of at least one backward-translated sentence generated for each of the plurality of different forward-translated sentences, each backward-translated sentence being obtained by backward-translating one of the plurality of different forward-translated sentences into the first language;

determining into which of an interrogative form, an affirmative form, a negative form, and an imperative form each of the at least one backward-translated sentence included in the backward-translated sentence group is classified;

selecting one or more backward-translated sentences of the at least one backward-translated sentence in the backward-translated sentence group, based on the classified forms; and

outputting a specific forward translated sentence, upon receiving an operation of the user for selecting one of the one or more backward-translated sentences during output of the one or more backward-translated sentences on the information output device, the specific forward-translated sentence corresponding to the backward-translated sentence selected by the user.