VI. Read the following passage and write answers in complete English sentences the questions.

FEED IN ENGLISH, PRINT OUT FRENCH

Once upon a time, according to a much-told story, a computer was set the task of translating “traffic jam” into French and back into English. The machine buzzed, clicked, blinked its lights and eventually came up with “car - flavoured marmalade”. Machine translation has come a long way since then. Computer translation systems are now in operation in many parts of the world. Not surprisingly, the EEC is very involved. With so many official languages, translating and interpreting take up more than fifty percent of the Community’ administrative budget. But although the efficiency of machine translation is improving rapidly, there is no question of human translators being made redundant. On the contrary, people and machines work together in harmony. Today’s computers are of little value in translating literary works, where subtlety is vital, or the Spoken word, which tends to be ungrammatical, or important texts, where absolute accuracy is essential. But for routine technical reports, working papers and the like, which take up so much of the translation workload of international organizations, computers are likely to play an increasing part. The method of operation will probably be for the machine to make a rough version, which the translator will then edit, correcting obvious errors, and where necessary referring back to the original.

If machines can translate languages, could they ever teach languages? Yes, say enthusiasts, although they doubt that the teacher could ever be totally replaced by a machine in the classroom. Good old teachers know best!

Questions

1. What is the role of computers in translating literary works? Why?

2. What do good old teachers of languages know?

3. Why is the EEC involved in language translation and interpretation?

4. What is typical or spoken language?

5. How could a computer help in the translation work of international organizations?