DARPAs planning on taking away your FLPP

[Scimitar]

Interesting article regarding what DARPAs doing in the area of computer translators that can be used by each and every soldier.

Like alot of DARPA stuff it's probably a while away yet, I could be wrong, but I for one aint putting down my Arabic grammar book quite yet...

Language Translation Technology (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052104697.html)

Scimitar

[nmap]

Great article, with exciting implications.

المادة العظيمة ، التي تترتب عليها آثار مثيرة.

Some slight differences between the English and Arabic versions....at least according to Google translate.

I think I could get in serious trouble with this. :D

[Box]

hm... so what are we gonna do with all of the 18-Lima recruits?

[Sten]

How cool, we are one step closer to living in the Star Trek universe. I really hope DARPA is working on warp drive.

[armymom1228]

Well that clears a lot of stuff up! wheeeewwwwwww
I mean at least I don't have a FLPP for a DARPAs to take away.. or do I?:D

[dac]

I really hope DARPA is working on warp drive.

Forget warp drive. I want some hot green chicks!

At least they say it isn't as good as a human, but 70-80% accurate is better than 0. Although, with this example that last 20% could make for some real comedy.

I work with another language where there is a slight stress difference between the sentences 'That might be true' and 'He's honestly picking his butt.'

I find the web aspect intriguing, since we are in the Information Age. I have often wondered what our international relations would be like if more of "them" could talk to "us". Did the Iranian protesters see how much support they had, or did they only have the information from their government? What in the world would happen if there was no Great Firewall of China?

[greenberetTFS]

Well that clears a lot of stuff up! wheeeewwwwwww
I mean at least I don't have a FLPP for a DARPAs to take away.. or do I?

I'm with you Anne,I don't know if I have a FLPP that DARPA can take away either......:confused::confused::confused:

Big Teddy :munchin

[Basenshukai]

Non-verbal communications are part of any real "language" knowledge. And, those skills do not come from a book alone but from human interaction, intuition and knowledge of the culture at hand. In South America, nearly all of the countries use Spanish, but in each, there are critical nuances that can lead to totally different meanings. This includes simple facial expressions as well as slight differences in emphasis in any one word. It will be a long, long time before any device can replace a human's ability to discern this. I figure that FLPP is safe for now.

[Razor]

FLPP = Foreign Language Proficiency Pay. Regs and rates available at:

http://www.cpms.osd.mil/ASSETS/A2D130C5D51C46F4851DFE16AC5996D7/Foreign%20Language%20Proficiency%20Pay%20(FLPP).PD F

[Bill Harsey]

FLPP = Foreign Language Proficiency Pay. Regs and rates available at:

http://www.cpms.osd.mil/ASSETS/A2D130C5D51C46F4851DFE16AC5996D7/Foreign%20Language%20Proficiency%20Pay%20(FLPP).PD F

Razor,
Thank you for defining some of all the little letters many use around here while assuming others instinctively understand what they mean.

jadatowfus.

[lindy]

This was on page two of the article:

"To this day, if you want to get a translation absolutely right, go find yourself a talented human."

Absolutely right is the key. If the goal is to get a half-ass translation, get close to the meaning, or even ID the language, then computers may work out.

In '54, they thought they were close...in 2001, they thought they were close...in 2009, they KNEW they were close.

It still isn't here and humans are still required to do the translations.

I wonder how the English-to-(insert language) machine translators work with a guy from the backwoods of Louisiana or how about a kid from Boston? Now imagine a Pashtun kid who doesn't read or write and speaks a funky local dialect. The computer will have a hell of a time with that.

[Dozer523]

when I finally got my fourth grade classroom in Southern California (after Purgatory of 7th grade Language Arts / Social studies)Most of the students were "first generation". Many had parents or Grand Parents at home who did not speak or read English -- but they could read.Every three weeks I prepared and sent home a news letter covering what was going on in the school, class and curriculum. One one side of the paper was English the other side was Spanish (via babel-fish).

At the first conference time I got a real eye-opener.
One Mom says to me. "Oh, yes, your letters are very nice. They are so funny. But we understand what you are trying to say."

You really can't trust technology, that much. But, you have to do something. It's a tool, not a solution. Communication is transmitting and receiving.

[Ambush Master]

Could be handy to "Double-Check" what the "Terp" is really translating or saying!!!

[Ambush Master]

Razor,
Thank you for defining some of all the little letters many use around here while assuming others instinctively understand what they mean.

jadatowfus.

Let me hazard a guess at your acronym: jadatowfus = Just a/another dumbass that only wants f***ing understandable shit!!!:D:munchin