1. In an automatic word processing system including a keyboard, a printer and processor means for carrying out word processing functions indicated at the keyboard, each of which is connected to a common data bus and a common instruction word bus carrying instructions from said computer, improved apparatus for translating character information comprising: keyboard position information entered on said data bus at said keyboard, and language translation means for translating said keyboard position information as a function of a selected one of a plurality of language formats into media codes acceptable to said processor means, said language translation means being connected to said common data bus and said common instruction word bus and further including: a plurality of read-only memory storage means addressable for providing said media codes, means operatively connected to said common data bus and said plurality of read-only memory storage means for addressing said read-only memory storage means, along said common data bus, enabling means operatively connected to said common data bus and said common instruction word bus, for reading various read only memories for operation as a function of computer instructions present on said common instruction word bus and said data bus, output gating means for gating information read from said read only memories to said common data bus, said output gating means being operatively connected to said common data bus and said common instruction word bus and controlled by instructions on said common instruction bus, printer data memory for supplying printer codes for operation of said printer in one of a plurality of language formats, said printer data memory being operatively connected to said common data bus for receiving data from said gating means and said common instruction word bus, and further means within said language translation means for addressing certain read only memories for translating certain specific media codes.
1. In an automatic word processing system including a keyboard, a printer and processor means for carrying out word processing functions indicated at the keyboard, each of which is connected to a common data bus and a common instruction word bus carrying instructions from said computer, improved apparatus for translating character information comprising: keyboard position information entered on said data bus at said keyboard, and language translation means for translating said keyboard position information as a function of a selected one of a plurality of language formats into media codes acceptable to said processor means, said language translation means being connected to said common data bus and said common instruction word bus and further including: a plurality of read-only memory storage means addressable for providing said media codes, means operatively connected to said common data bus and said plurality of read-only memory storage means for addressing said read-only memory storage means, along said common data bus, enabling means operatively connected to said common data bus and said common instruction word bus, for reading various read only memories for operation as a function of computer instructions present on said common instruction word bus and said data bus, output gating means for gating information read from said read only memories to said common data bus, said output gating means being operatively connected to said common data bus and said common instruction word bus and controlled by instructions on said common instruction bus, printer data memory for supplying printer codes for operation of said printer in one of a plurality of language formats, said printer data memory being operatively connected to said common data bus for receiving data from said gating means and said common instruction word bus, and further means within said language translation means for addressing certain read only memories for translating certain specific media codes. 3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said keyboard position information corresponds to entry positions for character information to said processor means.