1. A digital code translator for translating an input PCM word according to a predetermined compression characteristic into an output PCM word having chord bits and step bits, said translation comprising: memory means (41, 141) having a multiplicity of addresses for storing at each said address a table of instruction words, address inputs (A4-A9) and instruction word outputs (Q0-Q5); means connecting a first predetermined selection of bits of said input word to said address inputs; selector switch means (45, 148, 150, 152) having instruction inputs connected to said instruction word outputs to receive said instruction words, a plurality of bits inputs (0-15), and a switch output (51, 161) for connecting a selected one of said plurality of bit inputs to said switch output according to an instruction word; means connecting a source of potential representative of a "1" inputs; means connecting a source o potential representative of a zero to a second one of said bit inputs; and means connecting a second predetermined selection of bits of said input word to others of said bit inputs, respectively; respective instruction words of said tables directing said switch to select said chord bits from among said first and second ones of said bit inputs and to select said step bits from among said others of said bit inputs according to said predetermined compression characteristic to generate said output word.