Question

【题目】Have you ever imagined traveling to a foreign country without having to worry about the headache of communicating in a different language?

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, technology policy expert Alec Ross argued that, within a decade or so, we’ll be able to communicate with one another via small earpieces with built - in microphones. That’s because technological progress is extremely rapid. It’s only a matter of time. Indeed, some parents firmly hold the idea that this technology is approaching and they’re wondering if their kids should even learn a second language.

It’s true that an increase in the quantity and accuracy of the data loaded into computers will make them cleverer at translating “No es bueno dormir mucho” as “It’s not good to sleep too much.” Replacing a word with its equivalent (同义词) in the target language is actually the “easy part” of a translator’s job. But even this seems to be a discouraging task for computers.

It’s so difficult for computers because translation doesn’t--or shouldn’t--involve simply translating words, sentences or paragraphs. Rather, it’s about translating meaning. And in order to infer meaning from a specific expression, humans have to interpret a mass of information at the same time.

Think about all the related clues that go into understanding an expression：volume，gesture, situation, and even your culture. All are likely to convey as much meaning as the words you use.

Therefore, we should be very skeptical of a machine that is unable to interpret the world around us. If people from different cultures can offend each other without realizing it, how can we expect a machine to do better? Unless engineers actually find a way to breathe a soul into a computer, undoubtedly when it comes to conveying and interpreting meaning using a natural language, a machine will never fully take our place.

【1】What view does the author hold about translation?

A. Proper translation can be tough for humans.

B. Slight differences matter little in translation.

C. Some machines will interpret our world properly.

D. Cultures deserve more attention than words used.

【2】What is the best title for the text?

A. An Expert’s Precise Prediction

B. The Complexity of Translation

C. Who Will Be a Better Translator

D. Will Language Barrier Actually Disappear?

【3】What is the author’s attitude to the modem technology?

A. Unclear B. Objective

C. Optimistic D. Negative.

【4】In which column can you read the article in a newspaper?

A. Language Learning. B. Comments on hot issues.

C. Science Development. D. Translation tips.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】D

【3】D

【4】B

【解析】文章介绍了对新科技翻译耳机的优缺点，表达了人们对此不同的观点。

【1】A

推理判断题。根据第四段Rather, it’s about translating meaning.和第五段Think about all the related clues that go into understanding an expression： volume， gesture, situation, and even your culture. All are likely to convey as much meaning as the words you use.可知翻译不是简单的词语罗列，它涉及到意义、声音、姿势、状况、文化背景等许多方面。所以恰当翻译很难，故选A.

【2】D

主旨大意题。随着科技发展，有人预测将来不同语言的人交流通过专门的翻译耳机进行。作者对此怀疑，认为翻译是复杂的事，涉及到多方面的影响。D项：语言障碍真的会消失吗？概括全文，表达了作者的疑问，适合作为文章标题，故选D.

【3】D

推理判断题。作者认为翻译不是简单的词语罗列，它涉及到意义、声音、姿势、状况、文化背景等许多方面。现代科技翻译耳机做不到准确翻译句子的含义，所以作者对此持否定态度，故选D.

【4】B

推理判断题。文章是对新科技翻译耳机的优缺点介绍，表达了人们的不同观点。本文应出自热点问题评论栏目，故选B.