Computer Translator Ready for Testing in Iraq

Posted by Zonk on Friday November 18, 2005 @07:21AM from the real-life-applications-for-max-headroom dept.

cgibby98 wrote to mention a Wired News story about a battle-zone translation technology that may allow near real-time conversations between English and Arabic speakers. From the article: "Funded by Darpa, the system would allow troops to communicate in Arabic through a laptop computer equipped with voice recognition and translation software. Troops could speak in English and have their words instantly translated into Iraqi Arabic, 'spoken' by a computerized man's voice. The program also translates Arabic into English. Will it replace the need for an interpreter when you're having some sort of high-level conversation? Absolutely not. But it is absolutely to the point where it could be useful in some carefully chosen situations."

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Silent Translator by Doc+Ruby · 2005-11-18 07:23 · Score: 0, Flamebait

But will it report when the interrogation turns to illegal torture, like a live human might?

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make install -not war
Re:Danger! by c_forq · 2005-11-18 07:57 · Score: 0, Flamebait

After the Religous Conservatives get to it that will change though, it will be:
English: We are here to save you.
Translation: We are here to tell you the good news.

I can see it now... "No one expects the American Inquisition"

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Computers allow humans to make mistakes at the fastest speeds known, with the possible exception of tequila and handguns