I'm thinking about how this technology will improve medical practice (to take one small example). Taking care of a psychiatrically ill patient who doesn't speak your language is difficult. Human translators are great when you can get them but it is an imperfect system, especially when the patient speaks an uncommon language. Having instant translators like this in our pockets will change the game.
Totally agree, and I think it's a pretty big example. Lots of patients and a fair number of workers caring for patients speak non-fluent English in America so having immediate translation in one of the biggest sectors of our economy could mean a lot. Also a lot of humanitarian projects around the world that could really put this to use.
American here. In Tokyo in 2018 our English-only group was assigned a Japanese technical translator to help us navigate meetings, etc.
Very competent and sociable guy. One of my smart-alec colleagues opened Google audio translate for English-to-Japanese. Said some things and pressed the translate button.
After hearing the result, the translator was crestfallen. "I have to get another job."
Do you mean pre-Babel, before the languages were confounded? It’s an interesting thought!
When I recorded the Italian version of the post, I ran it by my friend who lived there for a few years and asked him whether it was podcast quality. He said it was far better than just about anything you’d get in Southern Italy. If Americans can suddenly start reaching those places and communicate to ordinary Italian people in their own language, that’s a big deal!
I'm thinking about how this technology will improve medical practice (to take one small example). Taking care of a psychiatrically ill patient who doesn't speak your language is difficult. Human translators are great when you can get them but it is an imperfect system, especially when the patient speaks an uncommon language. Having instant translators like this in our pockets will change the game.
Totally agree, and I think it's a pretty big example. Lots of patients and a fair number of workers caring for patients speak non-fluent English in America so having immediate translation in one of the biggest sectors of our economy could mean a lot. Also a lot of humanitarian projects around the world that could really put this to use.
American here. In Tokyo in 2018 our English-only group was assigned a Japanese technical translator to help us navigate meetings, etc.
Very competent and sociable guy. One of my smart-alec colleagues opened Google audio translate for English-to-Japanese. Said some things and pressed the translate button.
After hearing the result, the translator was crestfallen. "I have to get another job."
Are we re-entering the time of Babel?
Do you mean pre-Babel, before the languages were confounded? It’s an interesting thought!
When I recorded the Italian version of the post, I ran it by my friend who lived there for a few years and asked him whether it was podcast quality. He said it was far better than just about anything you’d get in Southern Italy. If Americans can suddenly start reaching those places and communicate to ordinary Italian people in their own language, that’s a big deal!