The knowledge required of an operator for manual or machine sorting is considerable. The code translator, which has been in use at the Head Post Office in Southampton since March, 1958, provides method of reducing the memory required of a machine operator. The translator employs a matrix of 5×26 rectangularB/Hloop cores to translate a five (or less) alphabet character code, which has been derived from the address on the envelope, into one of 144 possible output signals. The maximum capacity of the translator at present in service is about 4000 five-character codes.