Historical computing term for a device that interprets punched cards or tape. Rare in modern usage; now mainly of historical interest.
The interpreter was a device that read data from punched cards.
Compound of 穿孔 (せんこう, 'perforation') + 翻訳機 (ほんやくき, 'translator'), literally 'perforation translator'. The term reflects early computing technology where punched cards were used for data input.