Another boost for Technology from Star Trek

[Uncle Al]

It's here, soon to be everywhere.

Universal Translator

This is a beginning. I'm sure greater things will come to the market.

Uncle Al

[Sinned]

Actually it's closer to the Babel Fish of Douglas Adams' HHGTTG. Plug one in the ear and instant translation. I have a better solution though - everyone learn English

[Kirbstone]

I thought everybody had until I went to Germany to work. I would in consequence heartily endorse Dennis's suggestion, though.

When we introduce the Universal Skirtcafe Benign Dictatorship that little matter will be taken in hand....

Tom

[moonshadow]

Nah... if we're going to mandate a global language, let's choose one that sounds cool... like Italian!

[Fred in Skirts]

Nah... if we're going to mandate a global language, let's choose one that sounds cool... like Italian!

Too much arm and hand movements when speaking Italian.

[Darryl]

Klingon.

[Fred in Skirts]

Klingon.

I would vote for that!!

[crfriend]

Klingon.

+1

[Ralph]

Meh. For basic communications, translator AIs are reasonably reliable -- we've certainly come a long way from babelfish.com! But as soon as you get into idiom and regional dialect, all bets are off. I'll be impressed when we can translate "Bob's your uncle" or "er hat einen kleinen vogel" to the appropriate local dialect.

A fun exercise is to take any random phrase in your native language, translate it (via some translator software) to another language, then repeat several times before translating into your own language. Even if you avoid metaphorical idioms, a simple declarative sentence gets mangled in wonderfully humorous ways.

[Caultron]

I once read about a project that tested a mechanical translator by converting sentences from English to Russian and back.

They put in, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

They got back, "The vodka is strong but the meat is rotten."

[Gusto10]

Actually it's closer to the Babel Fish of Douglas Adams' HHGTTG. Plug one in the ear and instant translation. I have a better solution though - everyone learn English

If the Dutch hadn't given up on New Amsterdam, Dutch would be the most important language. And considering the number of Dutchmen participating, maybe it would be a good idea to give it a try to use Dutch as principle language.