Before Reading 1. About Machine Translation Definition Why Bother MT and Others 2. A Talk about Machine Translation Listen to the Talk Questions about the Talk 3. Discussion 4. Topic-related Prediction 5. Background Information
Definition What is machine translation? Machine translation is the application of computers to the translation of texts from one natural language into another.
Why Bother What do you think are the main reasons that people attempt machine translation? practical reasons idealism motives
military purpose commercial and economic motives pure scientific curiosity
The principal reason is a severely practical one: scientists, technologists, engineers, economists, agriculturalists, administrators, industrialists, businessmen, and many others have to practical reasons read documents and have to communicate in languages they do not know; and there are just not enough translators to cope with the ever increasing volume of material which has to be translated. Machine translation would ease the pressure. ■
Many researchers have been motivated by idealism: the promotion of international cooperation and peace, the removal of language barriers, the transmission of technical, agricultural and medical information to the poor and developing countries of the world. ■ idealism motives
Some sponsors of machine translation activity have seen its importance in military and intelligence contexts: to help them find out what the “enemy” knows. military purpose ■
There are “pure research” reasons: to study the basic mechanisms of language and mind, to exploit the power of the computer and to find its limitations. pure scientific curiosity ■
There are simple commercial and economic motives: to sell a successful product, or to maintain a high standard of living in a competitive world. commercial and economic motives ■
MT and Others What do you think the following have to do with the development of machine translation? the launch of the first sputnik in 1957 In the United States during the 1950 s and 1960 s fear of Soviet technological prowess (particularly after the launch of the first sputnik in 1957) stimulated much governmental and military support for Russian English translation. ■
the European Communities In the 1970 s the multilingual problems of the European Communities encouraged research on translation systems to deal with administrative, economic and technical documentation within the languages of the communities. ■
the Japanese “fifth generation” project In the 1980’s the Japanese “fifth generation” project, in which machine translation plays an important role, has been launched to establish for Japan a major position in the future world economy. ■
Listen to the Talk Ever wish you had a machine that would relieve you of the burden of learning foreign languages? Well, there is some help at hand, but machine translation still has a long way to go before you can safely throw away your English books. The talk you are about to listen to will explain just what machine translation can and cannot do. ■
Computer based translation systems will probably never produce great literature in fact. Expecting the results to resemble Shakespeare is like expecting monkeys to paint the “Mona Lisa. ” But although the results of machine translation programs aren’t exactly a “good read, ” they are enough to provide the gist of a document’s contents. And as amusing as the rough and ready translations are, they can prove valuable to people doing research on a desktop PC in that they can provide them instantly with references they need. Another redeeming feature of even a somewhat poor translation is that it saves money. The services of skilled translators are expensive, and a professional translator may average no more than 6 to 8 pages (perhaps 3, 000 words) a day.
Machine translation programs deliver understandable if not eloquent translations of documents written in a foreign language at a fraction of the cost of a human translator, and they do the job a lot quicker as well. The quality of any translation — whether by a computer or by a person — depends on the quality of the original material, and documents on the Web pose a challenge: The Web is notorious for containing misspelled words, poor grammar and incorrect syntax. This not only makes translation difficult but also can thwart search efforts.
Machine translation programs generally work better within a sharply defined glossary of known words and phrases, as opposed to the open ended documents that a desk top PC user would encounter on the Internet. For example, machine translation of legal or medical texts has a much higher success rate than machine translation of a foreign city’s newspaper Web site.
Questions about the Talk 1. How does the speaker compare the results of computer based translation with Shakespeare? Expecting the results to resemble Shakespeare is like expecting monkeys to paint the “Mona Lisa”. 2. Why is computer based translation valuable despite its obvious poor quality? Because it is enough to instantly provide people doing research on a desktop PC with the gist of a document’s contents and references they need.
3. What are, according to the speaker, the two advantages of machine translation? The provision of references is cheaper and quicker. 4. What kind of text does machine translation work better with? The kind of text within a sharply defined glossary of known words and phrases.
Discussion 1. Describe the following situations and discuss which should be applied to them respectively, machine translation, human translation or collaboration between man and machine. The Public Security system monitors the radio broadcasting of a foreign country.
An English speaker wants to appreciate Jin Yong’s Martial Arts Novels.
A Chinese businesswoman tries to negotiation with her French business partner.
You enter a crowded German chat room and want to gain a quick understanding of what people there are talking about.
2. Give some examples of poor machine translation work and discuss what makes machine translation unsuccessful in achieving good results. 3. Do you believe that MT will eventually replace human translators and help people get over language barriers in their communication? Why or why not?
Topic-related Prediction 1. The title of the text “tongues of the web”. What does it mean? 2. How does it relate to machine translation? 3. What do you think are most probably discussed in the passage?
Background Information 1. Rockefeller Foundation is a large US public trust (organization providing money for projects that help society). It was established in 1913 by John D. Rockefeller and supports research in medical science, agriculture and social issues. These include problems of hunger, education, social equality and the environment. ■
2. Shannon, Claude Elwood (1916~2001) Shannon is an American applied mathematician and electrical engineer, noted for his development of theory of communication now known as information theory. Born in Gaylord, Michigan, Shannon attended the University of Michigan and in 1940 obtained his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he became a faculty member in 1956 after working at Bell Telephone Laboratories. In 1948 Shannon published “A Mathematical Theory of Communication, ” an article in which he presented his initial concept for a unifying theory of the transmitting and processing of information. ■
3. IBM International Business Machines is a US company that was the first to develop computers successfully. IBM computers created an international system that most other computers now relate to. The company began in 1911 as the Computing Tabulating Recording Company. It developed the first electric typewriter in the 1930 s, the first computer in the 1950 s and the first personal computer (PC) in 1980. ■
4. European Commission is one of the main institutes of the European Union. It consists of 20 members who make proposals for new laws, deal with the administrative work of the European Union and make sure that agreements are kept. It is based in Brussels. ■
5. Babel was an ancient city in the land of Shinar where Noah’s descendants (who spoke one language) tried to build a tower (the tower of Babel) reaching up to heaven to make a name for themselves. But the project had to stop because of the confusion caused by the different languages used by the builders, as willed by God. The story was perhaps originally a tale explaining the diversity of languages and cultures. ■
The story of the tower of Babel isan ancient city in the 5. Babel was told in Genesis（《圣经》创 世纪） xi. It begins thus: of Shinar where Noah’s land Now the whole earth had one language and descendants (who spoke one few words. And as men migratedtried the build a tower language) from to east, they found a plain (the tower of Babel) and in the land of Shinar reaching up settled there. And to heaven to make a name for they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and. But the project had themselves. burn them thoroughly. " And they stopbrick for stone, and to had because of the confusion bitumen（沥青） for mortar（灰浆）. Then caused by the different they said, "Come, let us build ourselvesbycity, and a tower with a the builders, languages used its top in the heavens, willed by God. a name for was as and let us make The story ourselves, lest we be scatteredperhaps abroad uponoriginally the whole earth. " the face of a tale explaining the diversity languages and cultures. of ■
And the Lord came 5. Babelsee the down to city and the tower, which the sons of men had built. And the Lord Babel"Behold ancient city in the said, was an （ 看 ） , they are one people, and Shinar where Noah’s land of they have all one language; and this is only (who spoke one descendants the beginning of what they will do; and to build a tower language) tried nothing that they propose to do will now. Babel) reaching up (the tower of be impossible for them. Come, let us to make a name for to heaven go down, and there confuse themselves. But the project had their language, that they may not understand one to stop because of the confusion another's speech. " caused by the different So the Lord scattered them abroad languages used by the builders, from there over the face of the earth, and as willed by God. The story was they left off building the city. Therefore its perhaps originally a tale name was called Babel, because there explaining the diversity of the Lord confused the language of all the languages and cultures. earth; and from there the Lord scattered them from abroad over the face of the earth. ■ — Genesis 11
6. IDC (International Data Corporation) IDC is the world’s leading provider of technology intelligence, industry analysis, market data, and strategic and tactical guidance to builders, providers, and users of information technology. ■
Global Reading 1. True or False 2. Part Division of the Text 3. Further Understanding Table Completion Rearrange the Order Subtitles
True or False 1. According to the text, the democratisation of Internet has made the process of MT easier than before. ( F ) The Internet has democratized MT. But the process of translation is not, at least on the face of it, made any easier. 2. According to the text, the Internet has lifted MT out of its difficult situation by greatly improving the demand the quality of MT at the same time. ( F ) Internet has changed the way MT systems are used and people’s expectations of them rather than the quality of the MT output.
3. According to Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation, the basis of MT system is Claude Shannon’s new “information theory”. ( F ) Warren Weaver suggested that the code breaking successes of the second world war, combined with the electronic computers and Claude Shannon’s new “information theory” might form the basis of MT system. 4. The studies conducted by Aberdeen Group and IDC both proved the great need from the Internet for MT system to provide immediate translations. ( T ) 5. According to the text, Babel Fish offers not only online translation but also popular games producing enormous amusement. ( F ) Babel Fish offers online translation.
6. According to paragraph 10, the proportion of English speaking Internet users is expected to fall by the end of 2002 because the diversity of Internet users increases. ( T ) 7. It can be inferred from paragraph 11 that MT systems work better with documents of technical terms than those full of colloquial ( T ) language.
Part Division of the Text Parts Lines Main Ideas 1 1~22 A brief introduction to MT 2 23~70 The chronological development of MT 3 71~112 The need for MT and its current state
Table Completion Part 2 of Text A develops mainly in a chronological order. Complete the following table by writing down the words or phrases that indicate the time when the following events unfolded and the words or sentences that indicate the public response to the events. Words or phrases that indicate the time of happening back to the late 1940 s (L. 24) Events Words, phrases or sentences that indicate the public response to the events Conceiving and This prompted developing the idea research… (L. 28) of automating the process of translation
Words or phrases that indicate the time of happening in 1954 (L. 31) for the next decade (L. 33) Events First public demonstration of MT MT researchers making efforts to overcome the limitations of simple dictionary based systems Words, phrases or sentences that indicate the public response to the events a surge of enthusiasm and funding (L. 32) optimism (L. 38)
Words or phrases that indicate the time of happening in 1964 … two years later (L. 40) in 1970 (L. 49) Events Words, phrases or sentences that indicate the public response to the events Drawing the conclusion that MT American funding for systems were slower, pure MT research dried less accurate, and up. (L. 44) twice as expensive compared with human translators Systran’s Russian to English translation system sold to the United States Air Force Demand for translation systems began to emerge in the business community. (L. 50)
Words or phrases that indicate the time of happening during the 1980 s (L. 52) Events A revival of interest in MT Words, phrases or sentences that indicate the public response to the events …spurring renewed research. (L. 54) in the 1990 s (L. 59) The emergence of new approaches Not mentioned over the past three decades (LL. 64 65) Making little improvement in the quality of MT Not mentioned
Rearrange the Order The following are MT systems in different periods of time. Rearrange them according to the order of development. ( 2 ) A. the system which worked by analysing the source text using grammatical rules ( 1 ) B. the simple dictionary based system ( 4 ) C. the statistical translation system and example based system ( 3 ) D. the system which worked by translating the source into an intermediate language or symbolic representation
Subtitles Give a subtitle for each paragraph in part 3. Para. 9 how Internet boosted demand for MT Para. 10 some well known online MT systems Para. 11 the limitations of online MT system Para. 12 people’s new outlook on MT system
With its growing number of tongues, the Internet is giving MT — the use of computers to translate languages — a much needed shot in the arm.
Tongues of the Web Anonymous Since its earliest days, machine translation — the use of computers to translate documents from one language to another automatically — has suffered from exaggerated claims and impossible expectations. One characteristic (but apocryphal) tale tells of an American military system designed to of translate Russian into English, which is said to have rendered the famous Russian saying "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" into "The vodka is good but the meat is rotten. "
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage technology have helped improve things. But progress has been painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the fortunes of MT has never appeared. Now the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York wrote a memorandum suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
For the next decade, MT researchers tried to overcome the limitations of simple dictionary based systems using more complex approaches which analysed the source text using grammatical rules. "Today, the computer, or electronic brain, is well along toward picking up the burden of machine translation, " declared the Atlantic Monthly in 1959. But despite such optimism, progress was slow, and in 1964 the American government established a committee to examine the prospects for MT. Its report, issued two years later, concluded that, compared with human translators, MT systems were slower, less accurate, and twice as expensive. Instead, the committee recommended that research should concentrate on devising systems to assist human translators, rather than trying to replace them altogether. As a result, American funding for pure MT research dried up.
In some fields, however, it was recognised that even a rough and ready translation was better than none at all. Systran, a company established by Peter Toma, a researcher at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, sold a Russian to English translation system to the United States Air translation Force in 1970, and the same system was subsequently adopted by the European Commission. During the 1970 s, demand for translation systems began to emerge in the business community.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring renewed research. New systems were developed. Many of them worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any of several other languages. As computers became more powerful and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
Even so, the quality of MT has not really improved very much over the past three decades, says John Hutchins, an expert on the history of machine translation at the University of East Anglia, in Britain. "If you look at quality of output now, compared with 1970, in many cases you can't see much improvement, " he says. What has changed is that MT systems have now been plugged into the Internet. That changes the way they are used, and the expectations of them.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages in languages other than their own. And as companies set up increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had multilingual websites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is presented to them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
Arguably the best known online MT system is Babel Fish, which relies on Systran software to translate pages retrieved by the Alta. Vista search engine. Anyone who has used Babel Fish will be familiar with the unintentional hilarity of the results; one popular game involves scrambling the lyrics of pop songs by translating them from English into another language and then back again (a "round trip" translation). Other MT systems are also in use online, providing rough and ready translations of chat room conversations and messages e mail messages. Demand for such services is likely to increase as the diversity of Internet users increases. At the end of 2000, 48% of Internet users were English speakers, but this figure is expected to fall to 32% by the end of 2002.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical documents and adding common words and technical terms to the system's dictionary. Using MT to translate Internet pages, which can be about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no customisation is possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems were designed for use with high quality documents, whereas many web pages, chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial language and ungrammatical constructions. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Tongues of the Web Anonymous Since its earliest days, machine translation — the use of computers to translate documents from one language to another automatically — has suffered from exaggerated claims and impossible expectations. One characteristic (but apocryphal) tale tells of an American military system designed to of translate Russian into English, which is said to have rendered the famous Russian saying "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" into "The vodka is good but the meat is rotten. "
Tongues of the Web Anonymous Since its earliest days, machine translation — the use of 1. Understand the definition of “machine translation”. computers to translate documents from 这里的定义是通过“—…—”给出的 ：“the use of computers to translate documents from one language to another automatically — has suffered from automatically”。 one language to another exaggerated claims and 2. What can we inferimpossible expectations. One characteristic (but apocryphal) tale tells from the sentence? tells of an American military system of From the very beginning, machine translation suffered a lot. designed to Some made translate Russian into English, which is said to have overstatements while others expected impractically. rendered the famous Russian saying "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" into "The vodka is good but the meat is rotten. "
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage technology have helped improve things. But progress has been painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the fortunes of MT has never appeared. Now the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken Paraphrase the sentence. seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new Those who undertake the machine translationand ever cheaper processing and storage approaches in the field, have nothing to do but only a forced and cynical laugh when hearing this technology have helped improve things. But progress has been kind of joke. painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the fortunes of MT has never appeared. Now the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken seriously. Over What does this sentence mean? the years, there have been a number of promising new MT business approaches in progress for a long time, has made little the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage whereas, now technology has boosted its spirits greatly the Internet have helped improve things. But progress has been and given an impetus to it in thisand thesituation. breakthrough that will transform the painfully slow, difficult decisive fortunes of MT has never appeared. Now the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York wrote a memorandum suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process the translation using 1. Analyze the structure of of sentence. computers goes back to the late 该句是一个复合句。主句： Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation 1940 s. York wrote a memorandum。 in New Warren Weaver of the suggesting that引导的从句在句中作memorandum的定语，在此 Rockefeller Foundation in New 从句中，the York wrote successes of the second world code breaking a memorandum war为主语。在翻译成中文时，要注意分句译法。 suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world 2. Translate the sentence into Chinese. war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information 纽约洛克菲勒基金会的沃伦 • 韦弗写了一份备忘录，说若能将第二次 theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an 世界大战中成功的密码破译技术与电子计算机以及克劳德 • 香农提出 automatic translation system. This prompted research at several 的新“信息理论”相结合，即能构成自动翻译系统的基础。 American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
For the next decade, MT researchers tried to overcome the limitations of simple dictionary based systems using more complex approaches which analysed the source text using grammatical rules. "Today, the computer, or electronic brain, is well along toward picking up the burden of machine translation, " declared the Atlantic Monthly in 1959. But despite such optimism, progress was slow, and in 1964 the American government established a committee to examine the prospects for MT. Its report, issued two years later, concluded that, compared with human translators, MT systems were slower, less accurate, and twice as expensive. Instead, the committee recommended that research should concentrate on devising systems to assist human translators, rather than trying to replace them altogether. As a result, American funding for pure MT research dried up.
In some fields, however, it was recognised that even a rough and ready translation was better than none at all. Systran, a company established by Peter Toma, a researcher at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, sold a Russian to English translation system to the United States Air translation Force in 1970, and the same system was subsequently adopted by the European Commission. During the 1970 s, demand for translation systems began to emerge in the business community.
In some fields, however, it was recognised that even a rough and ready translation was better than none at all. Systran, a company established by Peter Toma, a researcher at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, sold a Russian to English What’s the implied meaning of this sentence? translation needed in the United States translation Machine translation was badlysystem to some fields at that Air time, even if it could only offer a not exact translation Force in 1970, and the same system was version. subsequently adopted by the European Commission. During the 1970 s, demand for translation systems began to emerge in the business community.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring renewed research. New systems were developed. Many of them worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any of several other languages. As computers became more powerful and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and 1. Analyze the structure of the sentence. multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring “to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on renewed research. New systems were developed. Many of them any underlying grammatical rules” 和 “and to example worked by translating the at a time by based systems which translated one sentence source text into an intermediate language searching a database for examples of similar from which it could be translated into any or symbolic representation, sentences whose translations were known”为并列成分，都做led的宾语， of several other languages. As computers became more powerful 在这两个并列成分中，又各自带了which引导的定语从句，前一个定 and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 语从句短，译成中文时可考虑前置；后一个定语从句长，译成中文时 要考虑分句。 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused 2. Translate three terms into Chinese and notice thea revival of interest in MT, spurring different ways to give definition. renewed research. New systems were developed. Many of them 平行文本 parallel texts worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any 基于统计 的翻译 系统 statistical translation systems of several other languages. As computers became more powerful 基于例句的翻译 系统 example basedand storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the systems 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led 3. Translate the sentence into Chinese. to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any 对平行文本的分析（用两种语言表达的同一文本）产生了不依赖任 underlying grammatical rules, and to 何基本语法规则的基于统计的机器翻译新系统，还产生了基于例句example based systems which 的翻译系统，即通过在数据库中搜索已有现成翻译的类似例句一次 by searching a database for translated one sentence at a time 翻译一句句子。 examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
Even so, the quality of MT has not really improved very much over the past three decades, says John Hutchins, an expert on the history of machine translation at the University of East Anglia, in Britain. "If you look at quality of output now, compared with 1970, in many cases you can't see much improvement, " he says. What has changed is that MT systems have now been plugged into the Internet. That changes the way they are used, and the expectations of them.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages in languages other than their own. And as companies set up increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had multilingual websites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is presented to them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages in languages other than their own. And as companies set up increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in Paraphrase the sentence. languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had The Internet multilingual websites at thebadly of 1999, and 57 did a made MT widespread and end needed because so many foreign users want to understand the year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a foreign web pages. management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is presented to them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
Arguably the best known online MT system is Babel Fish, which relies on Systran software to translate pages retrieved by the Alta. Vista search engine. Anyone who has used Babel Fish will be familiar with the unintentional hilarity of the results; one popular game involves scrambling the lyrics of pop songs by translating them from English into another language and then back again (a "round trip" translation). Other MT systems are also in use online, providing rough and ready translations of chat room conversations and messages e mail messages. Demand for such services is likely to increase as the diversity of Internet users increases. At the end of 2000, 48% of Internet users were English speakers, but this figure is expected to fall to 32% by the end of 2002.
Arguably the best known online MT system is Babel Fish, which relies on Systran software to translate pages retrieved by the Alta. Vista search engine. Anyone who has used Babel Fish will be familiar with the unintentional hilarity of the results; one popular game translation” mean both in What does the phrase “a round trip involves scrambling the lyrics of English and Chinese? pop songs by translating them from English into another language and then back again (a Translating something from one language into another and "round trip" translation). Other MT systems are then back again. 来回翻译 also in use online, providing rough and ready translations of chat room conversations and messages e mail messages. Demand for such services is likely to increase as the diversity of Internet users increases. At the end of 2000, 48% of Internet users were English speakers, but this figure is expected to fall to 32% by the end of 2002.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical documents and adding common words and technical terms to the system's dictionary. Using MT to translate Internet pages, which can be about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no customisation is possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems were designed for use with high quality documents, whereas many web pages, chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial language and ungrammatical constructions. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical documents and adding common words and technical terms to the system's is possible” mean? What does “no customisationdictionary. Using MT to translate Internet pages, which can be about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no customisation is possible. To it more It is impossible to change something to make matters worse, most MT systems suitable for you, or to designed for use with high quality documents, whereas many web were make it look special or unusual. pages, chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial language and ungrammatical constructions. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical documents and adding common words and technical terms to the system's dictionary. Using MT to translate Internet pages, which can be What can you inferaboutthe sentence? all, therefore produces terrible results, since no from anything at customisation is possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems were designed can work best only for a MT can’t satisfy us because it for use with high quality documents, whereas many web particular subject area. chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial pages, language and ungrammatical constructions. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Tongues of the Web Anonymous anonymous: adj. of unknown Since its earliest or authorship or undeclared source days, machine translation — the use of computers to translate documents from one language to another The gifts were donated by an anonymous benefactor. automatically — has suffered from exaggerated claims and 收到匿名信是件不愉快的事。 impossible expectations. One characteristic (but apocryphal) tale tells It is unpleasant to receive an anonymous letter. tells of an American military system designed to of translate Russian into English, which is said to have rendered the famous Russian saying "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" into "The vodka is good but the meat is rotten. "
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken storage: n. seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new 1) the process of storing information in a computer's memory approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage Information theory can be applied to both the transmission technology have helped improve things. But progress has been and the storage of messages. painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the 2) the act of storing or the state of beingnever appeared. fortunes of MT has stored Now 快把货物贮藏起来以免被偷。 the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and Place the goods in storage quickly in case it may be stolen. cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of We have to build a warehouse to give us more storage space. translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken NB: storage 可用作名词定语用来修饰别的名词。例如： seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage 小贮藏室 a storage closet technology have helped improve things. But progress has been 贮藏设备 storage facilities painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the fortunes of MT has never appeared. 蓄电 池(组 ) storage battery Now the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must a shot in the arm: sth. that boosts one's spirits or encourages, be met if MT is to be taken seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new esp. in a difficult situation approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage The new findings of the research have given the technology have helped improve things. But progress has been scientists concerned a shot in the arm. painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the 这宗大生意对这家破落的厂是一个兴奋剂。 fortunes of MT has never appeared. The big sale was a Nowin the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. shot the arm to the failing factory. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the or information); send an electronic transmit: vt. pass along (newshigh expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken signal, seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new radio or television broadcast, etc. approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage The survivors of the shipwreck transmitted a distress signal technology have helped improve things. But progress has been every hour. painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the Computer telecommunications take advantage of existing fortunes of MT has never appeared. telephone connections to transmit digitalhas given MT a much needed shot in the arm. Now the Internet data. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
This sort of joke prompts a hollow laugh from those in the machine translation (MT) business. It does so because it demonstrates both the difficulty of getting computers to understand human languages, and the high expectations that must be met if MT is to be taken on the face of it: from appearances alone seriously. Over the years, there have been a number of promising new It looks, on the face of it, like a minor change in the approaches in the field, and ever cheaper processing and storage regulations. technology have helped improve things. But progress has been 从表面看，这文件像是真的。 painfully slow, and the decisive breakthrough that will transform the On the face of fortunes of MT seemed genuine. it, the document has never appeared. Now the Internet has given MT a much needed shot in the arm. This is odd because the ability to transmit information quickly and cheaply would not, on the face of it, appear to make the process of translation any easier. Yet, although the underlying technology of MT is still the same as it ever was, the rise of the Internet changes the way in which technology is perceived and the way it is used. And there are signs that, in future, it could improve the way it works as well.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late go back to: date from (used in active voice) 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation in New Many phrases in the language go back to early religious writings. York wrote a memorandum suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information The root of this family goes back to the 16 th century. theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late memorandum: n. a proposal or report on a particular subject for a 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the person, an organization, a committee, etc. Rockefeller Foundation in New 经理将给全体职员发个公务便条，概述一下新的章程。 York wrote a memorandum Manager will suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world send a memorandum/memo to the staff outlining the new rule. war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information The delegation submitted a out by Claude the committee theory" laid memorandum to Shannon, might form the basis of an on the new technology. automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late NB: 1． memorandum的复数形式是: memorandumsofmemoranda。 1940 s. Warren Weaver 或 the 2． 当非正式情况时可用其缩写形式memo。 Rockefeller Foundation in New CF: memorandum, letter, massage & memorandum York wrote a note 这些词都可用作名词，都可以表示“书信，便签”的意思。 suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world memorandum 在表示信件时，多用于商业方面的非正式的信息传递， war, combined with electronic computers 或用于任何其他公务方面的信息传递的便函或外交的备 and the new "information 忘录。例如： theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an The professor wrote a memorandum to the Dean of the automatic translation system. This Department making his suggestions about the subject. prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — 那位教授给系主任写了个便笺，就这门课程提了些建议。 between IBM and Georgetown the result of a collaboration University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using letter 是个常用词，一般指个人、团体寄给（多以邮寄方式）对方的书写 的、打印的或印刷的信件。该词含义与信件内容性质无关，也不分 computers goes back to the late 公事或私事。例如： 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the I haven’t got his letter for half a year. Rockefeller Foundation in New York wrote a memorandum 我有半年没收到他的信了。 This Monday suggesting a letter from the bank. he received that the code breaking successes of the second world war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information 周一他收到了银行的一封信。 out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an theory" laid automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using message 不仅指书写的、打印的或印刷信件，而且还可指以口头方式传 递的信息或电报、电话等传递的信息。例如： late computers goes back to the 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the Would you please give him a message for in New Rockefeller Foundation me? York wrote a memorandum 请你为我向他捎个信好吗？ suggesting that the code breaking by Wireless messages told usthat the ship was attacked successes of the second world war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information storm. theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an 无线电报消息告诉我们，那船遇到了暴风雨。 automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using note 一般指简明扼要的信函，既可以是正式的，也可以是非正式的，在 外交方面指两国政府间的正式公文。 computers goes back to the late 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the He left a note Rockefellervisit his home. in New to tell her to Foundation York wrote a memorandum 他留下条子要她到他家去。 suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world Notes were exchanged between the two countries. war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information 两国政府互换了照会。 theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using lay out: plan in detail, provide (a detailed plan or design) computers goes back to the late The manager 1940 s. closely as Weaver my plan. listened Warren I laid out of the Rockefeller Foundation in New He wrote a report about how he laid out merchandise. York wrote a memorandum Collocation: suggesting that 放下；发布，制定 the code breaking successes of the second world lay down war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information lay off theory" laid out （临时）解雇，停止 by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation 停留 作短暂 system. This prompted research at several lay over American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — 贮 存；使卧病在床 lay up the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using automatic: adj. computers goes back to the late 1) self operating, working by itself 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the ATM stands for automatic teller machine. in New Rockefeller Foundation 旅馆里的取暖系统是自动调温的。 a memorandum York wrote suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world The heating system in the hotel has an automatic temperature control. war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information 2) done without thought laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an theory" The movements needed to ride a horsesystem. This prompted research at several automatic translation soon become automatic. American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown It seems difficult at first, but shortly it becomes automatic. University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using collaboration: n. the act of working jointly with other people computers goes back to the late 1940 s. piece of Weaver of the Mary once composed a Warren pop music in collaboration with another musician. Rockefeller Foundation in New 警察和军队紧密合作逮捕了恐怖分子。 York wrote a memorandum suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world The police caught the terrorists in close collaboration with the army. war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information Collocation: theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several 与…合作/合著；与…勾结 in collaboration with American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of assistance CF: collaboration, cooperation & translation using 这三个词都是名词，都有“合作”之意。 computers goes back to the late collaboration 指与某人合作、协作，有指创造或生产某物，有时用作贬 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the 义，指与敌人勾结。例如： Rockefeller Foundation in New The two firms are working in collaboration with each other. York wrote a memorandum suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world 这两家公司互相合作。 war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information The young woman was suspected of collaboration. theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an 这个年轻女人被怀疑与敌人勾结。 automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late cooperation 通常指与任何一方的相互合作以达成某一任务，亦指事件 之间的配合。例如： 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation in of the The PLA worked out a plan with the cooperation New villagers. York wrote a memorandum 人民解放军与村民合作定出一项计划。 the code breaking successes of the second world suggesting that war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information Your cooperation means a great deal to us. theory" laid 你们的协作对我们有很大的意义。 out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
The idea of automating the process of translation using computers goes back to the late assistance 表示帮助一些人和群体，含有“帮忙”的意思，即被帮助者能 做部分 作，需要别人的帮忙。例如： 1940 s. Warren Weaver of the Rockefeller Foundation in New Can I be of any assistance to you? York wrote a memorandum 我能帮你什么忙吗? suggesting that the code breaking successes of the second world war, combined with electronic computers and the new "information I’m willing to come to your assistance whenever there is an opportunity. theory" laid out by Claude Shannon, might form the basis of an automatic translation system. This prompted research at several 有机会我随时愿意帮忙。 American universities, and the first public demonstration of MT — the result of a collaboration between IBM and Georgetown University — took place in 1954. This early system, based on a simple bilingual dictionary with a few rules to determine word order, caused a surge of enthusiasm and funding.
For the next decade, MT researchers tried to overcome the limitations of simple dictionary based systems using more complex approaches which analysed the source text using grammatical rules. be (well) along toward: go in the direction of, come near "Today, the computer, or electronic brain, is well along toward picking up the burden of machine translation, " declared the Atlantic The project is well along toward reaching its goal. Monthly in 1959. But despite such optimism, progress was slow, and The negotiations 1964 the American government established a committee to in are well along toward reaching an agreement. examine the prospects for MT. Its report, issued two years later, concluded that, compared with human translators, MT systems were slower, less accurate, and twice as expensive. Instead, the committee recommended that research should concentrate on devising systems to assist human translators, rather than trying to replace them altogether. As a result, American funding for pure MT research dried up.
For the next decade, MT researchers tried to overcome the limitations of simple dictionary based systems using more complex approaches which analysed the source text using grammatical rules. monthly: "Today, the computer, or electronic brain, is well along toward 1. n. a magazine published once a month picking up the burden of machine translation, " declared the Atlantic A magazine that is published once a month Monthly can be called a monthly. in 1959. But despite such optimism, progress was slow, and in 1964 the month or 2. adj. & adv. (happening) once a American government established a committee to every month examine the prospects for MT. Its report, issued two years later, concluded that, compared with human translators, MT systems were 月刊是每月印刷的，我们按月读它。 slower, every month. We and twice A monthly paper is printedless accurate, read it monthly. as expensive. Instead, the The mortgage iscommitteemonthly installments. payable in recommended that research should concentrate on devising systems to They meet monthly to share their ideas. assist human translators, rather than trying to replace them altogether. As a result, American funding for pure MT research dried up.
For the next decade, MT researchers tried to overcome the limitations of simple dictionary based systems using more complex approaches which analysed source of dry up: disappear as if by draining or cutting off of athe source text using grammatical rules. supply "Today, the computer, or electronic brain, is well along toward picking up the 太阳把土地都烤干了，庄稼即将枯死。 burden of machine translation, " declared the Atlantic The sun has completely dried up the Monthly in 1959. But despite such optimism, progress was slow, and soil and the crops are drying. in 1964 the American government established a committee to examine the money’s dried up. The project is finishing because prospects for MT. Its report, issued two years later, concluded that, compared with human translators, MT systems were slower, less accurate, and twice as expensive. Instead, the committee recommended that research should concentrate on devising systems to assist human translators, rather than trying to replace them altogether. As a result, American funding for pure MT research dried up.
In some fields, however, it was recognised that even a rough and ready translation was better than none at all. Systran, a better than none/nothing: having less than one expects is better company having nothingby Peter Toma, a researcher at the California established than Institute of Technology in Pasadena, sold a Russian to English We originally wanted $100, but compromised on $80. Anyway, it's better than none. translation system to the United States Air translation What's the use Force in 1970, and the same system was of spending ten minutes doing exercises every morning? After all it's better than nothing. subsequently adopted by the European Commission. During the 1970 s, demand for translation systems began to emerge in the business community.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring multinational: adj. involving orresearch. in several countries renewed operating New systems were developed. Many of them The UN has sent a multinational peace keeping force. text into an intermediate language worked by translating the source or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any of several other languages. As computers became more powerful and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led The government is making great efforts to attract to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any multinational investment. underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring revival: n. the coming again into activity and prominence renewed research. New systems were developed. Many of them (followed by of) 我们亲眼目睹了一个溺水者的苏醒。 worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language or symbolic representation, We are witnessing a revival of a drowned man. from which it could be translated into any of several other languages. As computers became more powerful An economic revival is sweeping the country. and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring spur: renewed 1. vt. urge or incite to act research. New systems were developed. Many of them worked spurred him on and he later text into Your encouragementby translating the source achieved an intermediate language even greater results. or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any of several other languages. in computers became more powerful His parents' remarks spurred him into taking part Asthe contest. and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 自尊心刺激那人去决斗。 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led Pride spurred the man tostatistical translation systems, which did not rely on any to new fight. Patterns: underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which spur sth. translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for spur sb. (on) to do sth. examples of similar sentences whose translations were known. spur sb. into sth. /doing
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of 2. n. something that serves as a goad or an incentive computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring Did your uncle’s success act as a spur when you started in your business? renewed research. New systems were developed. Many of them On the spur of the moment she rushed out and shouted. into an intermediate language worked by translating the source text Collocation: or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any 飞快地，火急 on/upon the spurof several other languages. As computers became more powerful and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 一时冲动之下；意气用事 on the spur of the moment 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led 用靴刺踢，激励 put/set spurs to to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which 得到荣誉，出名 win/gain one's spurs translated one快马 加鞭地，立刻 a time by searching a database for sentence at with whip and spur (=with spur and examples of similar sentences whose translations were known. yard)
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring intermediate: adj. being between two extremes or in a middle renewedor state position research. New systems were developed. Many of them worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language Intermediate technology is a practical science which is suitable for use or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any in developing countries because it is cheap and simple. of several other languages. As computers became more powerful 灰色介于黑色和白色之间。 and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the Gray is intermediate between black and white. texts (the same text in two languages) led 1990 s: analysis of parallel to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and analysis: n. work done to find facts and solutions to problems multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring Chemical analysis of the woman's dress revealed traces of developed. Many of them renewed research. New systems were blood. worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language 对谋杀现场样本的分析为警察提供了一些有价值的线索。 or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any The analysis of the samples on the murder As computers became more powerful of several other languages. spot showed some valuable clues to the and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the police. 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led NB: 其复数形式是 analyses。 to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any Collocation: underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which 最终，归根结底 in the final/last analysis translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for In the final analysis, profit is the motive. examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring symbolic: adj. consisting of symbols; containing or being used asrenewed (often followed by of) a symbol research. New systems were developed. Many of them worked by translating the source text into an intermediate language The snake is symbolic of evil. or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any The Oval Office in the White House has come to be of several other languages. As computers became more powerful regarded as symbolic of the presidency. and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
During the 1980 s, the combination of rapid falls in the cost of computing power and increasing demand from governments and multinational companies caused a revival of interest in MT, spurring database: n. a largerenewed of information that systemsinwere developed. Many of them collection research. New is stored a computer system in such a waythe source text into an intermediate language worked by translating that it can easily be found by a computer user or symbolic representation, from which it could be translated into any He made a database of the employees in the multinational of several other languages. As computers became more powerful corporation. and storage became cheaper, other new approaches emerged in the We're linked to the online database at our head office. 1990 s: analysis of parallel texts (the same text in two languages) led to new statistical translation systems, which did not rely on any underlying grammatical rules, and to example based systems which translated one sentence at a time by searching a database for examples of similar sentences whose translations were known.
Even so, the quality of MT has not really improved very much over the past three decades, says John Hutchins, an expert on the history of machine translation at the University of East Anglia, in output: n. information or data produced by a computer; an Britain. "If you look at amount produced or manufactured quality of output now, compared with 1970, in many cases you can't see much improvement, " he says. What has The factory happily found the output was 20% on last year. changed is that MT systems have now been plugged into the Run the program, then we'll have a look at the output. Internet. That changes the way they are used, and the expectations of them. The network of Babel
Even so, the quality of MT has not really improved very much over the past three decades, says John Hutchins, an expert on the plug: history of machine translation at the University of East Anglia, in 1. v. connect (one piece of electrical equipment) to another; connect (sth. ) to. Britain. "If you look at quality of output now, compared with 1970, in the electricity supply They plugged theirmany cases you can't see much improvement, " he says. What has electronic organ into amplifiers. changed is that MT systems have now been plugged into the I don’t think the antenna’s plugged right. Internet. That changes the way they are used, and the expectations Collocation: plug away plug in/into plug up of them. 坚持努力做 The network of接通 Babel 堵塞，填塞
Even so, the quality of MT has not really improved very much over the past three decades, says John Hutchins, an expert on the 2. n. a thing used for history of a piece of electrical equipment University of East Anglia, in connecting machine translation at the to the main supply of electricity Britain. "If you look at quality of output now, compared with 1970, in Make sure you turn off the washing machine at the plug. Collocation: many cases you can't see much improvement, " he says. What has changed is that MT systems have now been plugged into the pull the plug on sth. 不能继续，突然中断 Internet. That changes the way they are used, and the expectations We were doing fine until the bank pulled the plug on us. of them. The network of Babel
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages in languages other than their own. And as companies set up increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need increasingly: adv. to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in more and more languages. Of to live on my own. I'm finding it increasingly difficult. America's 100 largest firms, 33 had multilingual websites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a The increasingly dull nature of many industrial jobs has led management consultancy, found that, on average, to the alienation of many workers. users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is presented to them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages elaborate in languages other than their own. And as companies set up : 1. adj. carefully worked out and elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need increasingly rich in detail; very detailed and complicated to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in We are all attracted by the elaborate lace languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had pattern in a small shop. multilingual websites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a They have created elaborate computer year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a programs to run the system. consultancy, found that, on average, management users spend up to twice as long at a 2. v. give more details or new information about something site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is I had new evidence network ofwant to elaborate any further The but I didn’t them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a presented to Babel in public. technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites 经理只想了解事实, 你不必作详细说明。 responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which The manager just wanted the facts. You don't need to highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, elaborate on them. and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages multiple: in languages other than their own. And as companies set up increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need 1. adj. many in number to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in He is a man of languages multiple interests. languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had The driver of the crashed car received multipleend of 1999, and 57 did a multilingual websites at the injuries. 2. n. number that year be later. by another number Aberdeen Group, a may divided A study by with no remainder management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four 4 and 6 are multiples of 2. times more likely to buy something from it, if it is The network of Babel their own language. Another study by IDC, a presented to them in technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages on average: as anin languages estimate, typically average rate or other than their own. And as companies set up increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need What is the rainfall for summer in your country on average? to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had multilingual websites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is The wines vary but networkquite good on average. language. Another study by IDC, a The they aretoof Babel their own them in presented technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages in languages other than their own. And as companies set up resend: vt. send again increasingly elaborate websites, they have become aware of the need to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in If possible, would you please resend the poem in Chinese? languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had multilingual asked him to resend it to me. As I had deleted the file, Iwebsites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is presented to them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a technology consultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
The network of Babel The Internet has democratised MT and boosted demand dramatically, as users around the world struggle to understand pages in languages other than their own. And as companies set up highlight: vt. emphasize, make important websites, they have become aware of the need increasingly elaborate to maintain multiple sites in different countries and serve customers in While reviewing, you should highlight the text. languages. Of America's 100 largest firms, 33 had multilingual websites at the end of 1999, and 57 did a year later. A study by Aberdeen Group, a management consultancy, found that, on average, users spend up to twice as long at a site, and are four times more likely to buy something from it, if it is presented to them in their own language. Another study by IDC, a technology for me and highlight the Could you read through thisconsultancy, found that only 5% of the 50 top websites important points? responded appropriately to e mail queries in a foreign language; most simply asked for the message to be resent in English. All of which highlights the need for MT systems to provide on the fly translations, and for elaborate publishing systems that can manage multilingual websites.
Arguably the best known online MT system is Babel Fish, which relies on Systran software to translate pages retrieved by the Alta. Vista search engine. Anyone who has used Babel Fish will be familiar with unintentional: adj. not intentional the unintentional hilarity of the results; one I'm sorry to disturb you; it was unintentional. popular game involves scrambling the lyrics of Having thought the crime, we decided the person who did it into pop songs by translating them from English had done it with an unintentional motive. another language and then back again (a "round trip" translation). Other MT systems are also in use online, providing rough and ready translations of chat room conversations and messages e mail messages. Demand for such services is likely to increase as the diversity of Internet users increases. At the end of 2000, 48% of Internet users were English speakers, but this figure is expected to fall to 32% by the end of 2002.
Arguably the best known online MT system is Babel Fish, which relies on Systran software to translate pages retrieved by the Alta. Vista search engine. Anyone who has used Babel Fish will be familiar with scramble: v. the unintentional hilarity of the results; one 1. vt. mix or throw together haphazardly popular game involves scrambling the lyrics of Scrambling her hair, she rushed out of the house. pop songs by translating them from English into 恶劣的天气把飞机班次打乱了。 another language and then back again (a Bad weather scrambled the air schedules. "round trip" translation). Other MT systems are 2. vi. move or climb hurriedly, especially on the hands and also in use online, providing rough and ready knees translations of chat room conversations and The old couple scrambled up the steep hill finally. such services is likely to increase as the messages e mail messages. Demand for diversity of Internet users increases. At the end of 2000, 48% of Internet users were English speakers, but this figure is expected to fall to 32% by the end of 2002.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical particle: n. a unitdocuments andthan an atom, e. g. an words and technical terms to the of matter smaller adding common electron; an extremely small Usingof mattertranslate Internet pages, which can be system's dictionary. piece MT to Electrons are about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no one kind of elementary particles. customisation is possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems were designed for the with high quality it Dust particles must have got into use. TV set, which is whydocuments, whereas many web isn't workingpages, chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial properly. language and ungrammatical constructions. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical to make matters documents and adding common words and technical terms to the worse: to make a bad or difficult situation worse My bike brokesystem's dictionary. and to maketo translate Internet pages, which can be down half way home, Using MT matters about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no worse, it began to rain. customisation is possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems You’ve spent were designed for use with high quality documents, whereas many web too much time watching TV, and to make matters worse, pages, chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial rubbishy commercials and harmful language and ungrammatical constructions. programs lead to bad tastes and a distorted viewpoint. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet towards human life. has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical whereas: conj. but; compared with the fact that documents and adding common words and technical terms to the system's dictionary. Using MT about He must be about eighty, whereas his wife looks to translate Internet pages, which can be about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no twenty. customisation is possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems 他们想要一座房子, 而我们宁愿住在公寓里。 were designed for use with high quality documents, whereas many web They want a pages, whereas we would house, chat rooms and e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial rather live in language and ungrammatical constructions. a flat. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
Unfortunately, MT systems work best when they have been customised for a particular subject area, such as microbiology, aerospace or particle physics. This involves analysing typical partial: adj. not complete or whole adding common words and technical terms to the documents and The research system's dictionary. Using MT to translate Internet pages, which can be project was only a partial success. about anything at all, therefore produces terrible results, since no 警察只对嫌疑犯进行了不完全的描述。possible. To make matters worse, most MT systems customisation is were designed for use with high quality documents, whereas many web The police have only a chat rooms andof e mails tend to involve slang, colloquial pages, partial description the suspect. language and ungrammatical constructions. Even so, Steve Mc. Clure, an analyst at IDC, notes that the Internet has "refocused" MT from being a tool that provides a first draft for translators to becoming a general tool "for gaining a quick, partial understanding of perishable texts in high volume environments without human involvement in the translation process. " The Internet changes the game for machine translation: users want speed, rather than quality, and are more likely to accept poor results.
After Reading 1. Useful Expressions 2. Spot Dictation 3. Translation Appreciation 4. Translation Practice 5. Talk about the Pictures 6. Proverbs and Quotations
Useful Expressions 1. 言过其实的断言 exaggerated claims 2. 不切实际的期望 impossible expectations 3. 心有余而力不足 The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. 4. 苦笑 a hollow laugh 5. 把…当回事 take … seriously 6. 满足期望 meet the expectations 7. 颇具发展前途的新途径 promising new approaches 8. 决定性的突破 decisive breakthrough
9. 主要技术 underlying technology 10. 构成基础 form the basis of 11. 一阵热潮 a surge of enthusiasm 12. 挑起重担 pick up the burden 13. 探明前景 examine the prospects 14. 粗糙的翻译 a rough and ready translation 15. 聊胜于无 better than none 16. 中介语 intermediate language
17. 极大地促进了需求 boost demand dramatically 18. 非母语 language other than one’s own 19. 管理咨询公司 a management consultancy 20. 即时翻译 on the fly translation 21. 搜索引擎 search engine 22. 来回翻译 a round trip translation 23. 更糟的是 to make matters worse 24. 部分了解 partial understanding
Spot Dictation Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 1 to 7 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 8 to 11 you are required to fill in the missing information. You can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written. The only difference between (1) _____ and translation is interpretation medium orally in the (2) ______ : the interpreter translates (3) ____ , while a translator does his job in written forms. ■
presuppose Both interpretation and translation (4) _____ a certain tongue love of language and good knowledge of more than one (5) _____. talents However, differences in the training, skills, and (6) _____ needed for either job are certain and clear. The key skill of a very good translator is the ability to write well, to express him/herself clearly in the (7) ____ language. That is target professional why (8) _____ translators almost always work in only one direction, translating only into their native language. (9) _____ Even bilingual individuals rarely can express themselves on a given subject equally ________________________ well in two languages. ________
And many excellent translators are far from being bilingual — they may not be, and need not be, fluent speakers of the source language (the language of the original text being translated). (10) ________________________ Their successful performance depends on the ability to understand ________________________ the source language and the culture of the country where the text ____, and using a good library of dictionaries and reference originated materials, render that material into the target language. An interpreter, on the other hand, is quite something else. (11) ________________________ He or she has to be able to translate in both directions on the spot, without the use of any dictionaries. ____________
Translation Appreciation 1. Translate the following sentence into Chinese. An interpreter (translator) has to know everything of something and something of everything. 2. Discuss with your partners the following three Chinese versions. 译文1：一个口译或笔译人员对一些事情要什么都懂，对所有事情都要懂一些。 译文2：翻译人员对有些事情要无所不晓，对所有事情又要略知一二。 译文3：翻译人员搞学问，既要精深，又要渊博。 3. Evaluation. 译文1虽形似，但文字功夫不足。 译文2用了“无所不晓”和“略知一二”，口语化却又不失雅，宜于口语场合。 译文3的结构已脱于原形，但显得凝练而神似，可称雅俗共赏。
Translation Practice Analyze the structure of the following sentences and translate them into English. Compare your version with the machine translation (http: //www. systranbox. com/systran/box) and the reference translation. State the differences. 1. In what now seems like the prehistoric times of computer history, the earth's postwar era, there was quite a wide spread concern that computers would take over the world from man one day. Sentence Analysis: 该句的句架为there was quite a wide spread concern that…，这是一 个there be 存在句型。Concern 后面是一个由that 引导的同位语从句，作 名词concern 的同位语。 Concern 的意思是“担忧，担心”；take over 的意思是“占据，取而代之”；wide spread 是复合形容词，可译为“普遍 的”。该句的前半部分是由两个同位语构成的状语。翻译此句时如何处理这 个there be存在句型是关键所在，有必要加一个主语，译成“人们普遍担心 ”较好。
1. In what now seems like the prehistoric times of computer history, the earth's postwar era, there was quite a wide spread concern that computers would take over the world from man one day. Machine Translation: 在什么现在似乎像计算机历史的史前时代，地球的战后年代，那里相当是普 遍不安计算机将接管世界从人一天。 Reference Translation: 在现在看来似乎是计算机历史的史前时期，即第二次世界大战之后的年代里， 人们普遍担心，计算机有朝一日会取代人类在世界中的地位。
2. Obviously, there would be no point in investing in a computer if you had to check all its answers, but people should also rely on their own internal computers and check the machine when they have the feeling that something has gone wrong. Sentence Analysis: 本句是一个并列复合句，第一个分句中含有一个if引导的条件状语从句。第二 个分句较为复杂，含有一个when引导的时间状语从句，其中又含有一个同位 语从句that something has gone wrong，作 feelings的同位语。在第一 个分句中，investing in a computer可翻译成“买计算机”；check all its answers的意思是“检查所有的答案”。在第二个分句中，rely on意为“依赖， 依靠”；internal computers指的是“人的大脑”；something has gone wrong指的是“计算机出了什么问题或错误”。英语中的条件状语从句或时间状 语从句翻译成汉语时，往往要放在主句的前面，英语的习惯是将从句放在后 面（除非表示强调），因此英汉互译时一定要注意。
2. Obviously, there would be no point in investing in a computer if you had to check all its answers, but people should also rely on their own internal computers and check the machine when they have the feeling that something has gone wrong. Machine Translation: 明显地, 有会是没有点在投资在计算机如果您必须检查所有它的答复, 但人们应 该依靠他们自己的内部计算机和并且检查机器当他们有某事变错误的感觉。 Reference Translation: 很显然，如果计算机得出的答案全部需要复查一遍，花钱买计算机就毫无意 义。不过，人们也应该相信自身内部的计算能力，一旦感觉计算机计算的结 果有什么不对之处，就应该进行复查。
3. Maybe each computer should come with the warning: for all the help this computer may provide, it should not be seen as a substitute for fundamental thinking and reasoning skills. Sentence Analysis: 本句是含有一个同位语从句的复合句，warning后面的部分是warning的同 位语。同位语从句中，代词it指的是前面的this computer；be seen as相 当于be regarded as，意为“被认为是”；substitute的意思是“替代品”； fundamental thinking and reasoning skills指的是“思考和推理的基本技 能”。
3. Maybe each computer should come with the warning: for all the help this computer may provide, it should not be seen as a substitute for fundamental thinking and reasoning skills. Machine Translation: 可能各台计算机应该来以警告: 为所有帮助这台计算机可以提供， 它不应该 被看见作为根本想法的和辩解的技能的一个替补。 Reference Translation: 或许每台计算机都应提醒用户，尽管本机能提供各种帮助，但决不能把它看 作是能代替你基本思考和推理的 具。
Talk about the Pictures
Proverbs and Quotations 1. The computer is the most important single technological resource of later life. 计算机是今后生活中最重要的一个技术资源。 2. Technology means the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical tasks. 技术意味着科学知识或其他系统知识在实际 作中的系统运用。 3. Faithfulness, expressiveness, elegance. — Yan Fu, Chinese translator 信达雅。 ——中国翻译家 严复
4. Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs. — Samuel Von Pufendorf, German Legist 要小心地驾驭语言文字, 因为它们具有比原子弹还要强大的力量. —— 德国法学家 S. V. 普芬道夫 5. For a cultivated man to be ignorant of foreign language is a great inconvenience. — Anton P. Chekhorv, Russian dramatist 一个受过教育的人不懂外语是极不方便的。 —— 俄国剧作家 A. P. 契诃夫 6. A foreign tongue is spread not by fire and the sword but by its own richness and superiority. — Alexander Pushkin, Russian Poet 一种外语的传播不是依靠武力，而是依靠这种语言本身的丰富与优越。 —— 俄国诗人 A. 普希金
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