03-23-2003, 01:24 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Uhura, Patch This Through The Universal Translator Please
http://www.wired.com/news/gizmos/0,1452,58150,00.html
What was once the fantasy in the world of Star Trek is closer to becoming a reality.
"Soldiers can't prevent the diplomatic misunderstandings that breed warfare, but the Pentagon hopes a handheld electronic interpreter in GIs' packs can prevent language barriers from claiming lives on the battlefield. To be successful, such a gadget has to go way beyond the electronic phrase books and generic tourist directories available today."
It isn't quite as small as the universal translator Kirk or Picard used though. It requires a Linux or Windows based tablet PC with a microphone and speaker. Looking at SpeechGear's site thought it looks like they are playing with the technology in Pocket PCs and smaller wrist-worn devices.
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03-23-2003, 01:59 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,479
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Screw this technology crap.
Gimme a bablefish.
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03-23-2003, 02:07 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Fishie
Gimme a bablefish.
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Agreed, I could totally use one. The sequence needed to get a Babel fish in the Hitchhiker's Guide, the Game was totally classic. 
--janak
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03-23-2003, 02:34 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
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Does it mean God doesn't exist? 8O
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03-23-2003, 03:21 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
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What a pointless idea!
The language of warfare is pretty universal -
Hands up or white flag means - 'I surrender - and I never really had time for that bloke with the moustache anyway, honest...'
Shooting bullets, or pointing a rifle/pistol/missile/miscellaneous 'weapon of mass destruction', in your direction means - 'I want to kill you and feed your babies to my glorious leader with his ever so handsome moustache'*
(*note - should these items be aimed at your own side then the correct translation should be - 'I am a soldier and therefore am by definition told where to point things by 'idiots' (is that how you spell 'General'?)')
For the more complex diplomatic stuff ('Hello - we'd like to you to go into exile while we annexe your country - if it's not too much bother. More tea before you go?') - we employ... erm... what are they called again...? I know...! DIPLOMATS!
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Linear Mode
