Technology is now renovating our methods of communication through cell phone programs. Now, foreign language speakers will no longer need to lug around Spanish-English or other translation dictionaries, but instead will be able to keep the tools of translation in their pockets.
A company called Edioma is in the process of designing cell phone software that will allow the user to translate between languages. The company hopes that this new translating service will help to bridge the language barrier that keeps many people from being efficient in daily life. The program has up to ten different kits that have phrases associated with specific activities such as shopping or banking. Edioma already released a program for Spanish speakers on Monday called Movida. Movida enables Spanish speakers to learn English phrases that are common in everyday routines. A user can look up a Spanish sentence, and the sentence will appear in English. The sentence also can be heard audibly so that the user can repeat the phrase and know how it sounds. If the user prefers not to speak the phrase, he or she can give the phone to whoever he or she is communicating with so that the person can read the phrase.
While providing users with frequent and practical phrases, the Movida application also has games that help teach English. For example, Movida has a soccer game called "Egoal". Egoal has been downloaded by over 8,000 people since last Friday. The Movida program is expected to be very popular with the Spanish-speaking population in the United States. Although Edioma has only released a Spanish-English version of the translation software, the company has plans to create applications for several other languages such as Mandarin and Hindi.
The Edioma officials claimed that studies have shown that American Spanish speakers can potentially gain $1 million in lifetime salary if they can speak English well. This external motivation is expected to help sales of this program to rocket. The economical benefit of being able to communicate in both Spanish and English in the American business world can give Spanish speakers who learn English greater chance for financial stability and success. This highlights the importance of language in society. Communication is of utmost significance, especially in the business world. When understanding in language is lacking, success may be inhibited.
The Edioma program also sheds light on the never-ending problem with translating correctly. Although translation with programs like Movida is probably more accurate than trying to string together words in a billingual dictionary, there are likely to be issues with translating correctly. Translating between Spanish and English is difficult enough, and the potential for inaccurate translation only increases as languages that are more distinct from English are implemented. I am reminded of the problem Professor Boroditsky brought up about translation ("The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"/"the vodka is good but the meat is rotten").
How can we ever develop any type of technological program that can comprehend the complex structures of different languages? Can any type of application mimic the human mind and the different connotations, associations, and implications that each word or phrase carries? It brings us back to the question: Can we ever really truly translate something? Does it lose part of its meaning when translated? The Edioma programs may be less error-prone, providing that they are dealing with common activities and phrases rather than complex ideas. Overall the programs are expected to be extremely effective for users in everyday life.
Links:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=21348
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/448149
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4 comments:
what a coincidence--i wrote about the same topic! I agree with your take on the situation: that translators can never be ideal enough to be used frequently on a daily basis. Add to the fact that many idiomatic phrases absolutely escape translation, and you pretty much have a more spiffied up version of your common at home translator. That being said, how do you think this new technology will be received by the target audience (ie, the english-learners)? Will they willingly use such means to convey their ideals during real situations, or will they shy away from such potentially awkward moments? I tried to address some of these questions in my post, but I wanted to see your take on the situation :)
Well, I have been trying much the same in my project called "LexiTools". See:
www.lexitools.org
I have come to a conclusion that adding words and phrases together in two languages and sending them as a text message via mobile phone is not a bad idea. When you receive a message and you notice that there's something wrong with it (that you don't understand it) then you can always go to the my website and replace the chunk which you think is wrong.
The same system might work with Instant Messangers and e-mails.
Try Mobile LexiTools and let me know what you think about my idea of communication.
At the moment it is only for Polish-English but any combination of languages might be used.
I think that although the new technology could be very useful in everyday situations, many english-learners will feel awkward using it. Showing someone a phrase on a phone that has been translated, or being worried that the translation may not be correct could be stressful and make users hold back from using the technology often and in all situations. They may prefer to avoid the situations entirely or remain silent than to put themselves in situations where they feel incompetent or vulnerable.
Very nice post and great discussion. I think it is worth thinking about some of the problems with this cell phone technology approach, as discussed by cindy. What are some ways to resolve these problems and make this a more workable language learning tool?
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