Is the era of artificial speech translation upon us? — IELTS Reading Answers

What does the reader learn about the conversation in the first paragraph?

1. AThe speakers are communicating in different languages.
2. BNeither of the speakers is familiar with their environment.
3. CThe topic of the conversation is difficult for both speakers.
4. DAspects of the conversation are challenging for both speakers.correct

“I’m struggling to follow him in English, on a scratchy line that reminds me we are nearly 10,000 kilometers apart-and that distance is still an obstacle to communication even if you’re speaking the same language, as we are.”

Both speakers struggle: the writer is 'struggling to follow him in English' on a scratchy line, and distance remains 'an obstacle to communication'.

What assists the electronic translator during lectures at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology?

1. Athe repeated content of lecturescorrect
2. Bthe students’ reading skills
3. Cthe languages used
4. Dthe lecturers’ technical ability

“At Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, where he is a professor of computer science, Waibel and his colleagues already give lectures in German that their students can follow in English via an electronic translator.”

At Karlsruhe students follow German lectures in English through the translator, whose task is eased by the repetitive, predictable content of lectures, option A.

When referring to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the writer suggests that

1. Athe Babel fish was considered undesirable at the time.
2. Bthis book was not seriously intending to predict the future.
3. Cartificial speech translation was not a surprising development.correct
4. Dsome speech translation techniques are better than others.

“The idea of artificial speech translation has been around for a long time. Douglas Adams’ science fiction novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, published in 1979, featured a life form called the ‘Babel fish’ which, when placed in the ear, enabled a listener to understand any language in the universe.”

The Babel fish appeared in a 1979 novel, showing 'the idea of artificial speech translation has been around for a long time', so it was no surprise.

What does the writer say about sharing earpieces?

1. AIt is something people will get used to doing.
2. BThe reluctance to do this is understandable.correct
3. CThe equipment will be unnecessary in the future.
4. DIt is something few people need to worry about.

“For a conversation, both speakers need to have devices called Pilots (translator earpieces) in their ears. ‘We find that there’s a barrier with sharing one of the earphones with a stranger,’ says Ochoa. That can’t have been totally unexpected.”

Ochoa reports 'a barrier with sharing one of the earphones with a stranger', and the writer calls this unsurprising, so the reluctance is understandable.

Speech translation methods are developing fast in Japan

“Waibel highlights the significance of certain Asian nations, noting that voice translation has really taken off in countries such as Japan with a range of systems. There is still a long way to go, though.”

Voice translation 'has really taken off in countries such as Japan', yet 'there is still a long way to go', so option C fits.

TV interviews that use translation voiceover methods are successful

“A translation system needs to be simultaneous, like the translator’s voice speaking over the foreign politician being interviewed on the TV, rather than in sections that oblige speakers to pause after every few remarks and wait for the translation to be delivered.”

TV voiceover works because a translation system 'needs to be simultaneous', not paused in sections, so immediacy is the reason for success.

Future translation systems should address people appropriately

“Systems not only need to cope with physical challenges such as noise, they will also need to be socially aware by addressing people in the right way. Some cultural traditions demand solemn respect for academic status, for example, and it is only polite to respect this.”

Systems must be 'socially aware by addressing people in the right way' and respecting academic status, which is good manners.

Users may be able to maintain their local customs

“At the same time, they might help to preserve local customs, slowing the spread of habits associated with international English, such as its readiness to get on first-name terms.”

Translation may 'preserve local customs', slowing habits like instant first-name terms, because systems need not follow standard international practice.

Language translation systems will be seen as very useful throughout the academic and professional worlds.

“Whatever uses it is put to, though, it will never be as good as the real thing. Even if voice-morphing technology simulates the speaker’s voice, their lip movements won’t match, and they will look like they are in a dubbed movie.”

The writer says translation 'will never be as good as the real thing', and mismatched lip movements make speakers look dubbed.

The overall value of automated translation to family life is yet to be shown.

“Whether it will help people conduct their family lives or relationships is open to question-though one noteworthy possibility is that it could overcome the language barriers that often arise between generations after migration”

'Whether it will help people conduct their family lives or relationships is open to question', so its family value is unproven.

Automated translation could make life more difficult for immigrant families.

“though one noteworthy possibility is that it could overcome the language barriers that often arise between generations after migration, leaving children and their grandparents without a shared language.”

The text suggests translation 'could overcome the language barriers that often arise between generations after migration', a benefit rather than a difficulty.

Visual aspects of language translation are being considered by scientists.

“Sharing a language can promote a sense of belonging and community, as with the international scientists who use English as a lingua franca, where their predecessors used Latin. Though the practical need for a common language will diminish, the social value of sharing one will persist.”

Lip movements are mentioned as a visual mismatch, but no research into visual aspects of translation is described.

International scientists have found English easier to translate into other languages than Latin.

“Sharing a language can promote a sense of belonging and community, as with the international scientists who use English as a lingua franca, where their predecessors used Latin. Though the practical need for a common language will diminish, the social value of sharing one will persist.”

English as a lingua franca is compared with Latin, but the passage never says scientists find English easier to translate.

As far as language is concerned, there is a difference between people’s social and practical needs.

“Though the practical need for a common language will diminish, the social value of sharing one will persist.”

The writer separates the two: 'the practical need for a common language will diminish' while 'the social value of sharing one will persist'.