In a few years, you might be able to speak Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, and English-andall at the same time.This sounds incredible, but Alex Waibel, a computer science professor at US's Car-negie Mellon University(CMU)and Germany's University of Karlsruhe, announced last week that it may soon be reality.He and his team have invented software and hardware that could make it far easier forpeople who speak different languages to understand each other.
One application, called Lecture Translation, can easily translate a speech from one language into an-other.Current translation technologies typically limit speakers to certain topics or a limited vocabulary.Us-ers also have to be trained how to use the programme.
Another machine can send translations of a speech to different listeners depending on what languagethey speak.“It is like having a simultaneous translator right next to you but without disturbing the person next to you, ”Waibel said
Prefer to read? So- called Translation Glasses transcribe(转录)the translations on a tiny liquid-crystal display(LCD)screen.
Then there's the Muscle Translator.Electrodes capture the electrical signals from facial muscle movements made naturally when a person is mouthing words.The signals are then translated into speech.The electrodes could be replaced with wireless chips implanted in a person's face, according to research-ers.
During a demonstration held last Thursday in CMU's Pittsburgh campus, a Chinese student named Sang Jun had 11 tiny electrodes attached to the muscles of his cheeks, neck and throat.Then he mouthed-without speaking aloud- a few words in Mandarin(普通话)to the audience.A few seconds later, the phrase was displayed on a computer screen and spoken out by the computer in English and Spanish:“Let me introduce our new prototype.”
This particular instrument, when fully developed, might allow anyone to speak in any number of lan-guages or, as Waibel put it, “to switch your mouth to a foreign language”.“The idea behind the universi-ty's prototypes is to create'good enough' bridges for cross- cultural exchanges that are becoming more common in the world, ”Waibel said.
With spontaneous(自发的)translators, foreign drivers in Germany could listen to traffic warnings on the radio; tourists in China could read all the signs and talk with local people; leaders of different coun-tries could have secret talks without any interpreters there.
(1)
What can't be learned from the text?
[ ]
A.
The spontaneous translators will help us a lot.
B.
There is no Muscle Translator in the world now.
C.
Muscle Translators can translate what you think into speech if you just move your mouth.
D.
A lecture translation can translate what you said into other languages easily.
(2)
What does the underlined word mean?
[ ]
A.
happening at at the same time.
B.
happening by itself.
C.
similar in size.
D.
Similar in quality.
(3)
What's the final destination of inventing the language translators?
[ ]
A.
To make cultural exchanges between different countries easier.
B.
To help students learn foreign languages more easily.
C.
To make people live in foreign countries more comfortably.
D.
To help people learn more foreign languages in the future.
(4)
What can be inferred from the seventh paragraph?
[ ]
A.
The translator is so good that it can translate any language into the very language you need.
B.
The translator is becoming more and more common in the world as a bridge.
C.
With the help of the translator,you only need to open your mouth when you want to say something without saying the exact words at all.
D.
The translator needs to be improved before being put into market.
Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax:(612)9212 6721
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with:
-a parent
-a custodian(监护人); or
-a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.
Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.
You must obey the following rules:
1.During term time you must:
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.
2.On weekends you must:
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.
3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.
This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A.
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.
B.
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.
C.
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.
D.
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A.
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.
B.
He is required to come home every night according to the rules.
C.
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.
D.
His student Visa has been cancelled.
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A.
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.
B.
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
C.
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.
D.
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.
阅读理解
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.Green said,“Clearly I am the most important.I am the sign of life and hope.I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.Without me, all animals would 1 .”
Blue interrupted,“You only think about the 2 , but consider the sky and the sea. 3 the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.Without my peace, you would all be 4 .”
Yellow chuckled(笑道),“You are all so serious.I bring laughter, fun, and 5 into the world.”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet,“I am the color of health and strength.I may be 6 , but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.When I fill the sky 7 , my beauty is so striking that no one gives another 8 to any of you.”
Red could stand it 9 and he shouted out,“I am the ruler of all of you.I am the color of danger and of bravery.I am willing to 10 truth.I am also the color of passion and of love.”
Then came Purple and Indigo(深蓝)….
The colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own 11 .Their quarreling became louder and louder.Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder.Rain started to pour down 12 .The colors crouched(蜷缩)down 13 , drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor(叫嚷), rain began to speak,“You foolish colors, fighting 14 yourselves, each trying to dominate 15 .Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, 16 ?Join hands with 17 and come to me.”
Doing as they were told, the colors 18 and joined hands.They formed a colorful rainbow.From then on, whenever a good rain 19 the world, a rainbow appears in the sky.They remember to 20 one another.