A device configured to emulate a string correlethim object generator includes a first processing stage and a second processing stage. The first processing stage outputs a first sub-string correlithm object comprising an n-bit digital word, wherein each bit of the n-bit digital word comprises a value of zero or one. The second processing stage receives the first sub-string correlithm object from the first processing stage and outputs a second sub-string correlithm object. Each bit of the second sub-string correlithm object has a value that is based on the value of a corresponding bit of the first sub-string correlithm object and changed values for a particular number of bits identified by a distance parameter.